An MP says English footballers singing God Save the Queen at the World Cup could lead to ‘resentment’ from other countries in the United Kingdom.

Leeds North West Liberal Democrat Greg Mulholland wants to see a parliamentary debate over the case for a national anthem for England, instead of using the British one for all sporting events.

And Mr Mulholland says there needs to be clarity about the songs and which country each team is representing.

He wants English footballers and other sports stars to sing Jerusalem or I Vow to Thee My Country at future World Cups and tournaments instead.

“I think there’s a growing movement that understands we really should have a different and specific national anthem for when we are competing as England,” Mr Mulholland said.

“It’s great to see unions flags flying and God Save the Queen when we’re competing as Great Britain and Northern Ireland at the Olympics or as British Lions in the rugby, “But when we’re competing as our separate home nations and in football and other sports, and we very much want to continue doing that, we should be very clear we are competing as England and not as the United Kingdom.

“If we have an English national anthem there won’t be that confusion and indeed resentment from the Scots and the Welsh that we’re using the British national anthem as we’re playing as England.”

At the Commonwealth Games in Delhi in October, English gold medal winners will hear Jerusalem being played, after a public vote.

Previously, English winners heard Land of Hope and Glory.

“It’s time for other sporting associations to follow suit,” he said.

“At least we’re now using the right flag, because if you look at the 1966 World Cup, people were flying union flags. Now people know the flag of England is the cross of St George so equally we should now have a different anthem to go with the English flag, and it has to be a song about England.

“Being a democrat I would accept the will of the English people.

“But my two favourites and I’d be happy with either of them, would be Jerusalem, which I think is a great choice, or I Vow to Thee My Country is another contender and another fantastic song.

“I think we need a song which is specifically about England and being English and as long as it fits the bill of being a stirring tune, I think it’s something sporting teams, athletes and fans can get behind.”

WHAT YOU SAY

  • Rob Bennett, 35, of Menston, said: “I think it should be something like Jerusalem. I agree because God Save the Queen is the British national anthem.”
  • Dutch-born Gunilla Vriesendorp-Williams, 60, of Ilkley, said: it could be worse: “The Dutch national anthem says ‘I will serve the Spanish King’ as they ruled us for 80 years.”
  • Denis Roper, 81, of Ben Rhydding, said: a change would be good, but added: “It’s never going to happen, though. I think it will always be God Save the Queen.”
  • John Williams, 68, of Ilkley, said: of God Save the Queen: “It’s a bit of a dirge. That’s probably why it doesn’t sound as nationalistic and aggressive as other anthems.”