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| Britain | ||
| UK Migrants to Undergo âBritishness Testâ | ||
| 2005-11-01 | ||
American-style citizenship tests and loyalty ceremonies become compulsory in Britain today following yesterdayâs soft launch by UK Immigration Minister Tony McNulty of the âBritishness Testâ, officially called âLife in the UK Testâ. Foreigners who apply for British citizenship through naturalization must take the test and pass at least three-quarters of the 24 questions set in the computer-based multiple-choice exam, which costs 34 pounds to enter. McNulty stressed that âbecoming a British citizen is a milestone event in an individualâs life. The measures we are introducing will help new citizens to gain a greater appreciation of the civic and political dimension of British citizenship and, in particular, to understanding the rights and responsibilities that come with the acquisition of British citizenship.â Critics and minority groups have complained that the test is too tough even for many people born and raised in the UK, let alone those who come over from abroad. The British have never made a spectacle out of their nationalism, nor gone down the road of institutionalizing it. Flying the flag in a chauvinistic way is usually the domain of the far right neo-fascist groups such as the British National Party and the National Front.
The Test curriculum was set by a Home Office panel chaired by Professor Sir Bernard Crick and has been piloted in centers throughout the country with 6,000 people already having sat the test. Last year a record 141,000 people were granted UK citizenship, a rise of 12 percent on the previous year. According to the Home Office, almost 60 percent of people born abroad living in the UK take British citizenship within six years, People born in Asian or African countries account for 40 percent and 32 percent respectively of all citizenship applications, the principal nationalities being Pakistani, Indian and Somali. The âLife in the UKâ test was first mooted by former Home Secretary David Blunkett. Following the 7/7 suicide bombings on the London transport system which claimed 56 lives and the botched attempts on July 21, the importance of espousing British democratic values especially among Muslims living in Britain was once again propelled on the public agenda. The problem is that the suicide bombings were carried out by young Britons born and bred in this country. The question of what it is to be British and how to engage and help foreigners integrate and share in British values and traditions assumed greater political importance, especially amongst New Labour ministers. Prospective new citizens already need to demonstrate sufficient working knowledge of English to help them get on. The Home Office has also produced a âLife in the UK citizenship guideâ for prospective new citizens that includes information on British history and society, its institutions and political system â and also practical issues key to integration such as employment, health care, education and using public services like libraries. Sample questions include: Where are the Geordie, Cockney, and Scouse dialects spoken? What are MPs? What is the Church of England and who is its head? Which of these courts uses a jury system: magistratesâ court, crown court, youth court or county court? What voltage is the UK electricity supply: 750 volts, 60 volts, 110 volts or 240 volts? Put the UK saintsâ days in calendar order. In what year was the right to vote granted to all 18-year-olds? | ||
| Posted by:lotp |
| #7 Not that this will do any good. Under Islam its perfectly ok to lie (even under oath) to infidels. |
| Posted by: CrazyFool 2005-11-01 14:20 |
| #6 One question only, "How did you like the banger?" |
| Posted by: Ulilet Uniter3495 2005-11-01 13:18 |
| #5 Closing the coop after the fox got in? |
| Posted by: gromgoru 2005-11-01 12:52 |
| #4 Naw more like: Was Yassir the Arafat A. A good leader but a bad man B. Yes C. No D. Sickly Choose one and illustrate with pie charts using magenta or what-have-you. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2005-11-01 12:50 |
| #3 Those are crap questions. Should be more like: Do you agree women should have equal rights? (if no, automatic deportation) Do you agree to uphold the laws of Britain ahead of any religious or cultural duty you may have had in your country of origin? (if no , automatic deportation) Do you agree not to physically asault any individual even if they have offended your honour, if they are a female relative or if they are homosexual? (if no immediate deportation) Do you agree that a woman has the right to choose her friends and who she marries? (you get the idea) |
| Posted by: anon1 2005-11-01 12:43 |
| #2 I thought the title was "1066 and All That." Maybe some bright minds thought alike. Associated Press article on this matter in our local this morning headlined "List the 6 wives of Henry VIII." If the questions really include Tudor and Stuart gossip, I'll ace it. Who needs a soap opera? Read Antonia Fraser. |
| Posted by: mom 2005-11-01 09:31 |
| #1 Thisn the required textbook. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2005-11-01 08:50 |