How About Living The British Way?

[Guest LB]

"New ceremonies will celebrate citizenship

The Government is asking for views on new citizenship ceremonies that will be trialled in eight areas early next year.

New citizens will continue to swear allegiance to The Queen but will also make a new pledge to uphold the UK's rights, freedoms and democratic values.

The consultation paper seeks views on the content of the ceremonies - including how they can have a 'local flavour'.

Home Office Minister Beverley Hughes said:

"Becoming a British citizen should not be about obtaining a bit of paper and a passport. It is something to be celebrated - both by those who qualify and by the wider communities of which they are a part."

The ceremonies will enable more focus to be placed on the fact that citizenship carries with it both rights and responsibilities. The Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 already requires applicants to demonstrate "sufficient knowledge of English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic" and knowledge of life in the UK.

The pilot areas are Brent, Liverpool, Wandsworth, Oldham, Kent, Cardiff, Telford and Glasgow.

The Life in the United Kingdom Advisory Group is examining how best to implement the new provisions to provide new citizens with practical help to facilitate their integration. It will publish its recommendations shortly"

So what about living the British way as a british citizen, speaking English when walking down the street for an example?

[andsome]

I must admit that I see no need for such a scheme. The cost would be yet another burden on taxes. A good many people are not too keen on 'er indoors at Buck House. We have far less freedoms and traditions left to uphold since Cheesy started handing them all over to Europe. If foreigners want to become British, then a simple private ceremony where they swear allegiance to the country is quite sufficient, with the applicant paying a fee to cover the cost. The ability to speak English should be a condition of becoming a citizen, as should the fact that they already have a job or are about to take one up.