UK girl guides have apparently abandoned their commitment to God and to country in their declaration of allegiance on joining.  I loathe political correctness of this kind and I hope droves of like-minded young people share my loathing and leave the PC Guides for a cause that celebrates faith and country.

I think Baden Powell will be turning in his grave to learn of this PC nonsense. Many people have a faith and a commitment to a God of their choice, whether it be Christian, Jewish, Moslem, Hindu or something more remote.  For atheists and agnostics – and I think these are still a minority in this country – an alternative form of words could have been found?

As for no longer being asked to pledge their allegiance to this country, where do these Guide leaders come from?  If people choose to live in this country as their long-term home and to enjoy the privileges that come with citizenship, is it entirely unreasonable to expect them to pledge loyalty to that country?  If we have communities living here who continue to look to another country as their own, with a higher level of  allegiance, if the national anthem they sing is not the British national anthem, I challenge their right to join our national organisations or to share in the benefits of living long-term in Great Britain. The new form of the Guide pledge opens the way for individuals to pledge support to “their community” rather than the country of which that community is a small part.

So, what alternatives for girl guides who believe in God, who love their country, whether by birth or adoption and who want to declare that support?  For older Guides, I would suggest one of the cadet forces. There are four: army, navy, air and combined and there will be a unit near you.  Here is the MoD web site: https://www.gov.uk/the-cadet-forces-and-mods-youth-work