Afternoon:
9°c
David Cameron will vow to fight to keep the United Kingdom together, just hours before a key meeting with Scotland's First Minister on an independence referendum
More...
Schoolchildren could swear allegiance to Queen under new 'Britishness' plans
Last updated at 00:22am on 11.03.08
Children could swear an allegiance oath to Queen Elizabeth II
A review of UK citizenship led by Lord Goldsmith is expected to call for a greater role for children in the ceremonies to encourage them to understand and embrace "Britishness".
The study, commissioned by Gordon Brown last year, is also expected to recommend a major overhaul of ancient treason laws.
Lord Goldsmith, who as attorney general was at the centre of the controversy over the 2003 Iraq invasion, left office along with Tony Blair last summer.
Citizenship ceremonies, which are mostly held in town halls, were introduced for immigrants four years ago.
Lord Goldsmith wants to rekindle enthusiasm for the events while raising the profile of citizenship itself.
He is expected to call for some ceremonies to be held in schools with children providing readings or music and even joining in with the oaths of allegiance.
Scroll down for more...
'Britishness': Pupils should be more patriotic, Ministers say, to foster 'sense of belonging'
The events could also be incorporated into citizenship classes, which are already part of the National Curriculum.
The review is likely to stop short, however, of recommending that Britain copy the American custom of pupils swearing allegiance to the flag each day with their right hand over their heart.
According to Whitehall insiders, it is hoped the plans will foster a "shared sense of belonging" among existing citizens and immigrants who choose to join their ranks.
One suggestion is that new "super-ceremonies" could be introduced to reward immigrants who have performed a particular service to their community or country since their arrival.
Iconic locations such as the Houses of Parliament, Wembley Stadium or Edinburgh Castle might host such high-profile events.
VIPs would attend to add kudos to the process of becoming a citizen.
Critics yesterday questioned the value of encouraging children to swear allegiance to their country.
Lynne Featherstone, the Liberal Democrats' youth and equality spokesman, said: "I don't think pledging allegiance to the Queen is the answer to young people's problems."
Republican campaigners questioned how schools would deal with children who do not support the monarchy and refuse to take part in the events.
The review is also set to recommend a shake-up of treason laws which are widely seen as unworkable.
Under laws dating back more than 600 years crimes include plotting to kill the sovereign, "violating" the king's wife, eldest unmarried daughter or eldest son's wife and helping the sovereign's enemies.
The last treason trial took place after the Second World War when William Joyce, known as "Lord Haw-Haw", was prosecuted over his Nazi radio broadcasts. He was hanged in 1946.
Legal experts doubt whether a successful treason prosecution could be brought now.
None of the men said to have slept with Princess Diana have ever been prosecuted, even though they could in theory have been sentenced to death for any such encounters prior to her divorce from Prince Charles.
The maximum punishment for treason is now life imprisonment.
Lord Goldsmith recently dropped hints that parts of the National Anthem should be modernised, including the little-known and seldom sung verse which calls for God's help in crushing the "rebellious Scots".
Jacqui Smith, the Home Secretary, recently published her own proposals on citizenship.
She called for all non-EU migrants settling in Britain to be expected to work toward full citizenship.
They would have to earn the right through a "probationary period", instead of "languishing in limbo" as foreign residents.
Reader views (10)
Has every British citizen forgotten their history.The British people were the first peoples of Europe to have a revolution against the monarchy.Under Oliver Cromwell who instigated the powers of the people of England to have fair governance over their own affairs as a country.With which the powers of the monarchy were reduced to that of a symbolic symbol of England.In no such way should any prospective citizen be made to swear an allegiance to the Queen.To observe the laws of England and to fulfill their duties as a British citizen ,yes.The Queen can not raise taxes or make the country go to war.Or change laws,so why swear an allegiance to a puppet.
- Robert Gautrey, Cambridge England., 10/01/2010 23:47
Report abuse
As a father I would never even consider telling my children to swear an oath of allegiance to me, so I certainly will not support them being asked to swear allegiance to any person even remotely removed from them.
- Phil Cronin, Queens Park, UK, 11/03/2008 19:21
Report abuse
I believe that if we are supposed to live in a free society then one has the right to dislike and to act legally against. I believe that an individual has the right to change the society they live in providing they do so legally and that the apparatus of society allows that freedom to do so. Forcing children to swear allegiance to the Queen or any political party reminds one of a German political party that became very famous or infamous during the 30s and 40s. These ideas will not help the Queen (whom I am sure is a very good person) or her family.
- Joe Cynical, Cambridgeshire, UK, 11/03/2008 06:54
Report abuse
Phil, if it's true what you say - that the Queen and the British monarchy will become totally irrelevant under the Lisbon Treaty - then I'm looking forward to the day when it is finally ratified!
- Charlie, Soho, 10/03/2008 15:14
Report abuse
I would have a problem swearing allegiance to King Charles and Queen Camilla - surely the US system of honouring the country and its belief is a better option.
- Peter Berg, Wembley, 10/03/2008 14:20
Report abuse
"Republican campaigners questioned how schools would deal with children who do not support the monarchy and refuse to take part in the events." I think the republican campaigners are missing the point surely they idea is to get people to join in behind one idea/ideal. If people start picking and choosing it is a waste of time, what would they suggest that we salute the Beckhams daily, what about people who hate them?
Wont all of this eventually mutate into a big brother sort of thing where the little brain washed kids will need to salute and pledge allegiance to the prime minister/leader every day?
- Steven, London, UK, 10/03/2008 10:44
Report abuse
The Queen and the British Monarchy itself will become totally irrelevant if the Lisbon Treaty becomes fully ratified. The Lisbon Treaty brings in a federal system of government, in which the U.K. and 27 other countries become provinces of a bigger country -- the E.U. Provinces don't have monarchies -- so the monarchies in the U.K., the Netherlands and Spain become irrelevant at full ratification. The Brown Government is playing up "Britishness" at this time as a smokescreen to the loss of British sovereignty that goes with the Lisbon Treaty. Look particularly at the 'division of powers' provision in the second part (The Treaty On The Functioning Of The E.U.) of the Lisbon Treaty, under which the U.K. and the other present countries retain no exclusive areas of jurisdiction; compare that to the new E.U. central government, which is given a list of exclusive areas of jurisdiction, with the remaining areas being shared with the new provinces. One can read that provision as not only a move to a federal state, but an ultimate move to a unitary European state. Did any of Brown's lemmings read and try to understand this document before signing away U.K. sovereignty?
As far as new treason laws, you won't see that delicate area amended soon -- since Gordon Brown knows that he would be first in line for being charged.
- Phil Jones, London UK, 10/03/2008 10:21
Report abuse
Politicians grabbing at straws, remind them, this is 2008, not 1808. Men and women will not die any easier in foreign lands, comforted by thoughts of Royalty, in wars they did not want to be in. The Queen and her hangers on will still chew Caviar while our troops will chew Bullets. The Monarchy is long overdue in the retirement stakes. Britain needs to be forward thinking, not destined to go in reverse gear. Wake up!
- Eurorep, germany, 10/03/2008 10:03
Report abuse
This is stupid, I believe in this country having been born here yet what has the Queen ever done for us besides "Royal Scandals" NOTHING. I would not mind doing it in the army, the air force or navy but just to be a part of the country I think its stupid - God help us and hope Gordon gets a brain.
- Sam, Manchester UK, 10/03/2008 08:57
Report abuse
I believe it is socially irresponsible for this to be suggested, Royalty and the Queen have become irrelevant in the 21st century in many people's eyes, and should certainly not be brought into the classroom. Being 'British' has become a complete farce. Being British has come to represent illegal war, questionable news coverage, adoption of American style politics, collapse of the social mobility and a complete surveillance society. Plus it may not be Britain for much longer considering Scotland (democratically) voted out Labour in favour of the SNP. These are the facts are they not?
- A Concerned Human Being, Scotland, 10/03/2008 02:53
Report abuse
