Criticism Over Oath Of Allegiance Plan

Schoolchildren may be asked to swear an oath of allegiance to the Queen under new government proposals aimed at promoting British citizenship - but the plan has quickly come in for criticism.

Under the proposals, pupils would take part in the same kind of citizenship ceremonies which were introduced for new immigrants by the government four years ago.

The plans would see pupils who are just about to leave school and move on to further education participating in the ceremonies.

However, the proposals have met with opposition from the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, teaching unions and the Scottish Government.

John Dunford from the Association of School and College Leaders, described the proposals as "half-baked", while Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Herbert said that the plans were "profoundly anti-British".

A spokesperson for the Scottish Government also said that it did not support the plan.

Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said: "People should not feel that being British is about swearing allegiance, it should be about taking an active role in society.

"Until people feel they have a genuine say in the system then they will never feel like they are true citizens."

The plans are part of a citizenship review, conducted by former attorney general Lord Goldsmith at the request of Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

The recommendations are aimed at strengthening national identity and achieving more social cohesion.

Lord Goldsmith said: "It is easy to imagine that British citizenship should denote a strong connection with membership of the community in the UK; that British citizenship denotes a strong commitment to, and connection with, this country. However, that is not historically the case.

"In effect, the history of legislation on citizenship and nationality has led to a complex scheme lacking coherence or any clear and self-contained statement of the rights and responsbilities of citizens.

"My report discusses measures to address that and makes a range of proposals that touch every stage of an individual's life. My recommendations are intended to promote the meaning and significance of citizenship within modern Britain."

Under the plans, a new public holiday could also be introduced in order to help celebrate Britishness. Similar to Australia Day, Lord Goldsmith said that it could be established by 2012 to coincide with the Olympics and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

The other proposals include plans to overhaul Britain's treason laws, scrapping or reforming laws such as sleeping with the wife of the heir to the throne, which carries a possible punishment of life imprisonment.

Lord Goldsmith has also hinted that the national anthem could be updated by removing verses, which are rarely performed.

(KMcA)