Swing Low, Candy Chariot: Boris Johnson says music shouldn’t be banned

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has mentioned he doesn’t suppose the music Swing Low, Candy Chariot needs to be banned after the Rugby Soccer Union introduced it might evaluate its use.

The RFU mentioned many individuals weren’t conscious of the music’s hyperlinks with slavery.

However the PM mentioned folks ought to focus much less on symbols and extra on the substance of racism.

Mr Johnson mentioned he didn’t suppose there needs to be “any kind of prohibition” on singing the music.

He added: “Frankly I believe what folks have to do is focus much less on the symbols of discrimination… all these points that folks at the moment are elevating to do with statues and songs and so forth – I can see why they’re very emotive, I perceive that.

“However what I wish to give attention to is the substance of the difficulty.”

He added that he “definitely did not suppose there needs to be any kind of prohibition on singing [Swing Low, Sweet Chariot]”.

“No one, so far as I am involved, appears to know the phrases,” Mr Johnson mentioned.

“Earlier than we begin complaining about Swing Low, Candy Chariot I would wish to know what the remainder of the phrases are.”

Former rugby league and union wing Martin Offiah, who was taking part in through the music’s first recognized use at Twickenham in 1987, has welcomed the RFU evaluate however doesn’t need it banned both.

Offiah informed Radio 5 reside: “The music will not be actually what the difficulty is right here – the difficulty is about range and inclusion.

“I believe this is step one as we progress in direction of change.”

The music is believed to have been sung at rugby golf equipment for the reason that 1960s however got here to prominence at Twickenham in 1987, when Offiah performed within the Middlesex Sevens match.

It’s thought Swing Low, Candy Chariot was written within the mid-19th century by Wallace Willis, who was a black slave.

“It is positively an emotional piece of music, very emotive, it stirs up emotions and that is most likely one thing to do with its historical past,” Offiah mentioned.

“That historical past might be not that well-known by lots of people within the UK. I champion the RFU reviewing it, I would not assist the banning of such a music. While you do attempt to ban issues like that it simply makes the music extra divisive.

“If this evaluate results in the RFU placing a optimistic spin on this music, partaking with ethnic communities, wanting on the rooms the place selections are made within the RFU and addressing these points, that is what we truly need.”

Former England captain Maxine Edwards believes the RFU has greater points to face than followers’ use of the music.

Edwards mentioned: “I believe it’s fascinating that the RFU has determined to evaluate this music and have discussions about its appropriateness, as a part of their greater strategy of reviewing their method to the illustration of individuals of BAME backgrounds inside their organisational construction in any respect ranges and participating of their sport.

“I’d, nonetheless, ask why that is the very first thing that they’ve on their checklist to evaluate as a part of this evaluate course of?

“It’s difficult, however it’s actually under no circumstances the most important situation that the RFU wants to deal with.”

England’s Maro Itoje, who spoke about rugby and race on the Rugby Union Weekly podcast, lately mentioned the music had a “difficult” background.