Labour drops royal references from government communications
Labour has faced criticism for removing references to “His Majesty” from government communication logos, marking a significant shift in the branding used by the UK government. Ministers have confirmed that this change is a “strategic decision” to refer to the entity simply as the “UK Government,” reports BritPanorama.
Until last summer, the official branding included “HM Government,” which explicitly acknowledged the monarchy. The decision to eliminate mention of the King is outlined in the government’s publicly accessible style guidance documents.
In response, the Conservative Party has pledged to revert this change, condemning Labour for what they view as an infringement on traditional values. Shadow Cabinet Minister Alex Burghart remarked, “How typical that Labour should be trying to quietly obliterate tradition. What earthly good is caused by this change? It’s just another depressing attempt to ‘modernise’ for modernisation’s sake.”
Burghart went on to say that the Conservatives would reverse this decision immediately upon regaining power, framing it as a betrayal of the nation’s interests, alongside other criticisms of Labour’s governance. Furthermore, it is reported that Downing Street has initiated a rebranding of the government crest to make it more “accessible.”
The ongoing debate reflects broader tension within UK politics regarding tradition and modernisation, illustrating how symbols of the monarchy continue to resonate in discussions about national identity and governance.
The removal of royal references from government branding highlights not only the potential ideological divides within UK politics but also raises questions about the role of tradition in an evolving political landscape.
