Labour Government Quietly Removes 'His Majesty' from Official Communications
The Labour Party has faced sharp accusations of disrespecting Britain after Sir Keir Starmer's administration decided to drop the reference to 'His Majesty' from all official public communications. This significant change, which replaces the traditional 'HM Government' with the more generic 'UK Government', was implemented without any public announcement, consultation, or detailed explanation, raising serious questions about Labour's stance towards the monarchy and the nation's longstanding constitutional traditions.
Strategic Decision Sparks Controversy
The Government has described this move as a 'strategic decision' aimed at updating branding following the accession of His Majesty The King. Cabinet Office Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds stated that guidance was revised in July 2024 to reflect the new Royal Coat of Arms, and a strategic choice was made to adopt 'UK Government' as the primary identity for all public-facing communications. However, this alteration has not been without its critics, who argue it undermines the historical and cultural significance embedded in the previous branding.
Conservative Backlash and Accusations
The Conservatives have been vocal in their condemnation, branding the change as 'disrespectful towards Britain's history, culture, and constitutional settlement'. Shadow chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster Alex Burghart criticized the move, saying, 'How typical that Labour should be trying to quietly obliterate tradition. What earthly good is caused by this change? It's just another depressing attempt to 'modernise' for modernisation's sake. Be in no doubt: the Conservatives will reverse this on day one.' The Tories have pointed fingers at Sir Keir's former communications director Tim Allan, who recently resigned, suggesting this change will be his 'lasting legacy in Government'.
Historical Context and Previous Instances
This is not the first time Labour has been accused of removing royal references from government entities. Under the previous New Labour administration, similar rebranding efforts included changing 'HM Stationery Office' to the 'Office of Public Sector Information' and 'Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Fire Services' to the 'Chief Fire and Rescue Adviser'. The current guidance, published in June 2025, now designates 'UK Government' as the default logo for public communications, emphasizing its use for announcements affecting the whole Union.
Government's Defense and Clarifications
In response to the backlash, the Government has clarified that 'HM Government has not been dropped as a style' and that it is merely used differently in certain circumstances. A spokesman explained, 'To provide clarity for the public, communications teams are advised to use 'UK Government' rather than departmental names and logos for announcements. This does not affect the use of 'His Majesty's Government', which continues on relevant official communications and records.' Despite this, the change has sparked a broader debate about the balance between modernization and tradition in British governance.
