2pints-mate 0 Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 Oh dear. There are talks of introducing some ridiculous "oath of allegiance to the Queen and/or country" here in the UK. Happily the proposals seem to be getting panned quite ferociously, especially from people in Scotland, Wales and N Ireland. It's as if we don't already pray for the Queen every day!! Quote: A British national day to be introduced in 2012 to coincide with the Olympics and the Queen's diamond jubilee was proposed yesterday by the former attorney general Lord Goldsmith. The results of the Goldsmith review of citizenship, commissioned by Gordon Brown, include a package designed to enhance the bonds of citizenship in Britain without imposing a single national identity. Goldsmith said there was no immediate crisis about Britons' sense of citizenship, and levels of pride and belonging were high in the UK. But changes in British society meant it was important to enhance the bonds that existed. The review's research, published yesterday, showed that over a third of young black Britons feel no sense of attachment. A further one in 10 people said they rejected all four national identities of British, English, Scots or Welsh. Goldsmith's ideas include extending citizenship ceremonies to all young people at a "coming of age" event at 18, with an oath of allegiance to the Queen or simply to the country. He also suggests incentives to encourage civic participation, such as council tax discounts for those who get involved in local voluntary work such as helping children to read in school, tuition fee discounts for students who do community work, the creation of a national citizens' corps and an honours list for "active citizens". But he also wants to clarify the boundaries of British citizenship by phasing out the right of Commonwealth citizens resident in Britain and Irish citizens not resident in Northern Ireland to vote in Westminster elections. Link to post Share on other sites
big-will 7 Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 What a silly silly idea. Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 what a stupid idea!! I mean, can anyone define being British?? Ask anyone in the UK where they are from and they'll say the individual countries of Scotland, England, Wales or N.Ireland. I don't think that "Britain" exists outside of politics. Most non-uk peoples view of whats British is actually whats English. Link to post Share on other sites
grungy-gonads 54 Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 This would definitely confuse more "Brits" than it would help them love the "country". (I'm confused!) And how many people love Mrs Queen nowadays. A badly advised idea, if it was advised at all other than from Granny. Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 I reckon I'd fail the test!! I certainly wouldn't be swearing allegience to the Queen!! I'd gladly swear at her though! Link to post Share on other sites
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