A committee’s decision not to make the national anthem a mandatory part of mayor-making has appalled one council member.

Cllr Graham Wanstall proposed the civic and special projects committee should resolve to play or sing the national anthem at all future mayor-making ceremonies.

Chairman of the committee, Veronica (Ronnie) Philpott, said she did not think it was appropriate to make it mandatory and the resolution was replaced with another proposal, to keep mayor making as it is.

She said: “They don’t sing the national anthem in the Houses of Parliament before they have a meeting. I wouldn’t want somebody telling me that I have to have a certain chaplain or jazz music, I think it’s a matter of discussion. It always has been.

“It’s no longer a tradition in England, we don’t sing the national anthem at council meetings and they don’t do it at DDC or KCC.

“I respect the royal family a great deal but it should be up to the mayor.”

Cllr Wanstall disagreed with this, he said it shouldn’t be about the mayor’s personal preferences but about civic pride.

He said: “I think its appalling and disgraceful and I’m ashamed to hear it. I can’t understand why anybody has to fight to have their own national anthem played.

“The mayor is a civic leader of Dover and the majority of people in Dover would want it played. The mayor should be doing what is right for Dover and not putting his preferences first.”

A vote by the committee members decided to leave it at the discretion of each mayor. It is not mandatory at the ceremony but it can be played or sung if wished by the incoming mayor.

Cllr Wanstall admitted he felt very strongly and emotional about the issue and said it was disgraceful members had voted to maintain the status quo.