UNITED: Community and religious leaders, joined residents, businessmen and dignitaries from across Yorkshire in Bradford to launch the latest OBON campaign
UNITED: Community and religious leaders, joined residents, businessmen and dignitaries from across Yorkshire in Bradford to launch the latest OBON campaign

Putting ‘United’ back in ‘United Kingdom’ and ‘Great’ back in ‘Great Britain’

A country-wide campaign, which aims to bring people of all backgrounds together to celebrate national identity in the UK, was officially launched last week in Bradford.

The One Britain One Nation (OBON) group are calling on people across the country to unite on 10th June this year to mark the Queen’s 90th birthday.

Regardless of religion, age or race, the initiative seeks to bring neighbours together to commemorate the landmark occasion in town and city centres, where people will be urged to sing the national anthem.

Kash Singh, a former Bradford police inspector who now heads the OBON organisation, was joined in Bradford by civic heads and officers from across Yorkshire to launch the event.

Speaking about the plans, he said he was excited to officially launch in Bradford and was looking forward to seeing the response come June.

“This is an ideal opportunity for us to bring out the best in all our communities,” he said.

“It allows us to stand together as one people, to promote that spirit of togetherness in order to create a sense of national unity and pride whilst also projecting that genuine affection between the Crown and the country.”

FLAG WAVING: The group gathered at Bradford’s City Hall, and were encouraged to promote their national identity
FLAG WAVING: The group gathered at Bradford’s City Hall, and were encouraged to promote their national identity

During the launch event at Bradford City Hall, MPs, Mayors and religious leaders were amongst the dignitaries who represented the demographics across the county, waving their Union Jacks.

Kersten England, Chief Executive of Bradford Council, said it was important to bring communities together through projects such as OBON, and was delighted to help launch the campaign.

“I am pleased that ‘One Britain One Nation OBON has chosen Bradford to launch their national campaign to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen’s 90th birthday,” she said.

“We are looking forward to all the different ways in which communities from across the district will come together to celebrate this landmark event.”

According to OBON’s website, the organisation was established to bring people together, ‘not to focus on our differences but to celebrate the values we share: tolerance, kindness, pride, respect, and a tremendous desire to help others’.

Previously projects have been launched in Bradford and Huddersfield, with the latest Monarch-based celebration planned to be the biggest to date.

The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Cllr Joanne Dodds, said: “Her Majesty The Queen’s forthcoming 90th birthday will give the country a wonderful opportunity to celebrate Her Majesty’s long life, decades of steadfast duty and her unstinting service to the people of the country.

“This initiative by One Britain One Nation will provide a splendid showcase for national unity and togetherness and will further enhance what is sure to be a joyful occasion.”

For more information about One Britain One Nation and the campaign visit www.onebritainonenation.com

COMMUNITIES: Chief executive and founder of OBON, Kash Singh (middle), said he was delighted to launch the campaign in Bradford
COMMUNITIES: Chief executive and founder of OBON, Kash Singh (middle), said he was delighted to launch the campaign in Bradford