28 March 2012
Support our work: become a Friend of Statewatch from as little as £1/€1 per month.
UK: Citizenship
ceremony - oath of allegiance to "Queen and Country"
On 25 July the Home Office a Consultation paper say that immigrants
being granted citizenship will have to swear an oath of allegiance
to "Queen and country" at a public ceremony. The paper
suggests the ceremony would end with a round of applause and
the "National Anthem".
Immigrants can apply for citizenship after five years (or three
if they are married to a British citizen). At present they simply
fill in a form, get the details verified by a solicitor or doctor
and apply by post.
Under the new scheme around 100,000 people a year will first
have to pass a test in English and show sufficient knowledge
of life in the UK” before attending the "ceremony"
where the person would have to swear or affirm the following
words:
“That on becoming a British citizen I will be faithful
and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second,
her heirs and successors according to law.”
I will give my loyalty to the United Kingdom and respect its
rights and freedoms. I will uphold its democratic values. I will
observe its laws faithfully and fulfil my duties and obligations
as a British citizen.”
Tony Bunyan, Statewatch editor, comments:
"People who have a right to become citizens will be asked to forget their own histories and cultures and become "British". It is part of a general shift across the EU from multiculturalism to monoculturalism in the post 11 September climate.
There are thousands, if not millions, of British people who would refuse to take this oath of allegiance. It is based on the premise that we are all subjects of the monarchy (and all its heirs) and not citizens. Moreover, as citizens in a democratic society "loyalty to the United Kingdom" may or may not be forthcoming depending on the legitimacy and legality of the state and governments' actions"
Citizenship ceremonies - consultation document, Home Office, 25.7.03: Full-text (pdf)
Home Office press release: 25/7/03 (214/2003): CONSULTATION
ON NEW CEREMONIES TO CELEBRATE CITIZENSHIP
The paper seeks views on the content of new citizenship ceremonies, including how they can incorporate a “local flavour”. The ceremonies should reflect local communities and support the social integration of new citizens. They will be trialled in eight areas early next year.
New citizens will continue to swear allegiance to the Queen but also make a new pledge to uphold the UK's rights, freedoms and democratic values.
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.
“Citizenship ceremonies will enable more focus to be placed on the fact that citizenship carries with it both rights and responsibilities. Our reforms also place new obligations on those applying for citizenship to have sufficient knowledge of our language, and of life in the UK, to enable them to fully participate in our society. Sir Bernard Crick's group will shortly publish its recommendations on how this should be taken forward.”
The pilot areas are Brent, Liverpool, Wandsworth, Oldham, Kent, Cardiff, Telford and Glasgow.
The Government's citizenship reforms aim to make the acquisition of citizenship a meaningful event and to encourage more people to acquire this status.
The Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 requires
applicants for citizenship to demonstrate “sufficient knowledge
of English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic” and knowledge of life
in the UK."
Spotted an error? If you've spotted a problem with this page, just click once to let us know.
Statewatch does not have a corporate view, nor does it seek to create one, the views expressed are those of the author. Statewatch is not responsible for the content of external websites and inclusion of a link does not constitute an endorsement. Registered UK charity number: 1154784. Registered UK company number: 08480724. Registered company name: The Libertarian Research & Education Trust. Registered office: MayDay Rooms, 88 Fleet Street, London EC4Y 1DH. © Statewatch ISSN 1756-851X. Personal usage as private individuals "fair dealing" is allowed. We also welcome links to material on our site. Usage by those working for organisations is allowed only if the organisation holds an appropriate licence from the relevant reprographic rights organisation (eg: Copyright Licensing Agency in the UK) with such usage being subject to the terms and conditions of that licence and to local copyright law.