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| Pupils 'to take allegiance oath' | Pupils 'to take allegiance oath' |
| (18 minutes later) | |
| School-leavers are to be encouraged to swear an oath of allegiance to the Queen under new government proposals being unveiled on British citizenship. | School-leavers are to be encouraged to swear an oath of allegiance to the Queen under new government proposals being unveiled on British citizenship. |
| Pupils would give a commitment to Queen and country in ceremonies akin to those for new immigrants. | Pupils would give a commitment to Queen and country in ceremonies akin to those for new immigrants. |
| But teaching unions have poured scorn on the plan, saying it is un-British. | But teaching unions have poured scorn on the plan, saying it is un-British. |
| John Dunford from the Association of School and College leaders said it was "a half-baked idea". The Scottish Government has also dismissed the plan. | |
| A spokesman said it did not support the idea and did not believe it would find favour with parents or school pupils. | |
| The proposals are contained in a review of citizenship conducted by the former attorney general Lord Goldsmith at the request of Gordon Brown. | The proposals are contained in a review of citizenship conducted by the former attorney general Lord Goldsmith at the request of Gordon Brown. |
| He believes that citizenship ceremonies for teenagers would help improve their sense of what it means to be a British citizen. | He believes that citizenship ceremonies for teenagers would help improve their sense of what it means to be a British citizen. |
| 'Offensive' suggestion | 'Offensive' suggestion |
| The peer has consulted people in the UK, Europe, North America and elsewhere to pull together a series of proposals aimed at providing a "much clearer vision of what it means to be a citizen". | The peer has consulted people in the UK, Europe, North America and elsewhere to pull together a series of proposals aimed at providing a "much clearer vision of what it means to be a citizen". |
| Citizenship ceremonies already exist for immigrants and the report suggests holding them in schools, where youngsters who are about to leave the school and move on to work or further education could participate. | Citizenship ceremonies already exist for immigrants and the report suggests holding them in schools, where youngsters who are about to leave the school and move on to work or further education could participate. |
| The plans have been condemned by the group Republic, which campaigns for the abolition of the monarchy. | The plans have been condemned by the group Republic, which campaigns for the abolition of the monarchy. |
| Spokesman Graham Smith told the BBC: "It's offensive to people who do actually cherish democracy and who actually cherish the sorts of liberties we've fought for centuries. | |
| He said swearing an oath would be an attack on people's freedom of conscience. | He said swearing an oath would be an attack on people's freedom of conscience. |
| If children refuse to take part, he added, "are they then going to be told or taught that they are somehow less British or less loyal or less patriotic?" | If children refuse to take part, he added, "are they then going to be told or taught that they are somehow less British or less loyal or less patriotic?" |
| Other proposals are thought likely to include a revamp of Britain's old treason laws, such as sleeping with the wife of the heir to the throne, which is punishable by life in prison. | Other proposals are thought likely to include a revamp of Britain's old treason laws, such as sleeping with the wife of the heir to the throne, which is punishable by life in prison. |
| Lord Goldsmith has also hinted at updating the national anthem by removing verses which are rarely performed. | Lord Goldsmith has also hinted at updating the national anthem by removing verses which are rarely performed. |