[Aptrgangr]

Kids May Have To Swear Pledge To Queen

By Sky News

Schoolchildren may have to swear allegiance to the Queen under proposals aimed at promoting British citizenship.

A new public holiday could also be introduced to celebrate Britishness, under recommendations to bolster national identity published today.
Former Attorney General Lord Goldsmith suggested launching the event alongside the London 2012 Olympics or what will be the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in the same year.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown commissioned Lord Goldsmith to lead a review into a bid to strengthen national identity.
He also proposes greater involvement in citizenship ceremonies brought in by the Government four years ago.

Last October, a preliminary report published as part of Lord Goldsmith's review said that schoolchildren should take part in the same kind of ceremonies for foreigners taking British nationality.
The style and content of the events should be "re-energised", perhaps with a rendition by schoolchildren of the pop song We Are The World - the US version of 1984's Band Aid single - last year's report said.
Speaking before the report was published today, Lord Goldsmith said swearing allegiance to the Queen was a "good idea".
But he also said citizenship ceremonies need not necessarily have to include this element.

"It can be a pledge of commitment to the country, it can be a statement of what the rights and responsibilities of citizens are," he added.
But Dr John Dunford, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: "Schools will reject it as an un-British idea imported from America, which does not fit into their ethos or culture.
"This is a half-baked idea, which should be allowed quietly to go mouldy."
Lord Goldsmith has also hinted at updating the national anthem by removing verses which are rarely performed.

Last October's preliminary document accused senior politicians of lacking enthusiasm for citizenship ceremonies introduced by the Government just four years ago.

Kids May Have To Swear Pledge To Queen - Yahoo! News UK