This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/7287984.stm

The article has changed 15 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Pupils 'to take allegiance oath' Pupils 'to take allegiance oath'
(40 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. Former attorney general Lord Goldsmith, who conducted the citizenship review, said the aim was more social cohesion.
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. Teaching unions said the plan was un-British, and the Scottish Government has also dismissed the idea.
A spokesman said it did not support the idea and did not believe it would find favour with parents or school pupils. 'Shared belonging'
The proposals are contained in a review of citizenship conducted by the former attorney general Lord Goldsmith at the request of Gordon Brown. John Dunford from the Association of School and College leaders said it was "a half-baked idea".
He believes that citizenship ceremonies for teenagers would help improve their sense of what it means to be a British citizen. A Scottish Government spokesman said it did not support the idea and did not believe it would find favour with parents or school pupils.
The symbols of a healthy democracy are not to be found in empty gestures and I'm afraid I see this as an empty gesture Baroness Helena KennedyHuman rights lawyer
Lord Goldsmith, who carried out the review at the request of Gordon Brown, believes that citizenship ceremonies for teenagers would help improve their sense of what it means to be a British citizen.
He told BBC News: "The point is to find a raft of different ways that we can create a greater sense of shared belonging in this country, greater social cohesion, and for people to understand more clearly what it means to be a citizen of this country. What the rights are and what the responsibilities are as well.
"I think a formal ceremony which marks that passage from being a student, who's learning about the theory, to a citizen, who now is practising the reality of being a citizen, I think that is a useful thing."
'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. 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?"
Labour peer and human rights lawyer Baroness Helena Kennedy said the proposal was based on a misconception of what it meant to be proud of a country.
She said: "The symbols of a healthy democracy are not to be found in empty gestures and I'm afraid I see this as an empty gesture."
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.