Comments on: Should we have an oath of allegiance? http://blogs.reuters.com/uknews/2008/03/11/should-we-have-an-oath-of-allegiance/ Insights from the UK and beyond Sat, 25 May 2013 19:05:43 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: Adam http://blogs.reuters.com/uknews/2008/03/11/should-we-have-an-oath-of-allegiance/comment-page-1/#comment-6132 Adam Mon, 13 Oct 2008 21:36:45 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/uknews/2008/03/11/should-we-have-an-oath-of-allegiance/#comment-6132 I am an American military member. All Federal office holders....judges, military, government, swear allegiance to the constitution of the United States. No allegiance is sworn by any other citizen. Why does Britain want to make all citizens swear allegiance to anyone? I am an American military member. All Federal office holders….judges, military, government, swear allegiance to the constitution of the United States. No allegiance is sworn by any other citizen. Why does Britain want to make all citizens swear allegiance to anyone?

]]> By: Chris Lumb http://blogs.reuters.com/uknews/2008/03/11/should-we-have-an-oath-of-allegiance/comment-page-1/#comment-1386 Chris Lumb Wed, 12 Mar 2008 14:15:38 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/uknews/2008/03/11/should-we-have-an-oath-of-allegiance/#comment-1386 I am opposed to pledging allegiance to the Queen. With no disrespect to her personally, we had no freedom of choice to choose her in the first place, and we have no mechanism to replace her if she did not measure up to the job. We have no choice of her successor. Besides, would we have to take another oath when a new monarch succeeds the throne? I have nothing against pledging allegiance to the Constitution of the United Kingdom and its laws. I am opposed to pledging allegiance to the Queen. With no disrespect to her personally, we had no freedom of choice to choose her in the first place, and we have no mechanism to replace her if she did not measure up to the job. We have no choice of her successor. Besides, would we have to take another oath when a new monarch succeeds the throne?
I have nothing against pledging allegiance to the Constitution of the United Kingdom and its laws.

]]> By: Ken (North West http://blogs.reuters.com/uknews/2008/03/11/should-we-have-an-oath-of-allegiance/comment-page-1/#comment-1378 Ken (North West Tue, 11 Mar 2008 13:33:43 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/uknews/2008/03/11/should-we-have-an-oath-of-allegiance/#comment-1378 Firstly, with regard to this forum, I refuse to listen to any expats who pass comment on a debate about a country they chose to leave. I can't see how 'oath of allegiance' will change the attitude of the youth of today? A lot of them don't respect the average man on the street, so why should they care about the Queen, who probaly means nothing to them anyway? It is an outdated suggestion and one that will never work in a multi-cultural society, such as the UNited Kingdom Did the taxpayer have to pay for Lord Goldsmith to come up with this suggestion? If so, I want my money back! Firstly, with regard to this forum, I refuse to listen to any expats who pass comment on a debate about a country they chose to leave.

I can’t see how ‘oath of allegiance’ will change the attitude of the youth of today? A lot of them don’t respect the average man on the street, so why should they care about the Queen, who probaly means nothing to them anyway?

It is an outdated suggestion and one that will never work in a multi-cultural society, such as the UNited Kingdom

Did the taxpayer have to pay for Lord Goldsmith to come up with this suggestion? If so, I want my money back!

]]> By: Joshmickael http://blogs.reuters.com/uknews/2008/03/11/should-we-have-an-oath-of-allegiance/comment-page-1/#comment-1377 Joshmickael Tue, 11 Mar 2008 12:56:35 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/uknews/2008/03/11/should-we-have-an-oath-of-allegiance/#comment-1377 I am English. not scottish Irish welsh , my religion is my own personal affair, Laicity should be the order of the day , Followed By a republic , if these people think they can use old french ideas and words such as "Tolerance" To spend our money as is inevitably the case when giving a national holiday and printing all the paraphenalia thats besides hiring Halls etc. Its disgusting ! why not have a global people are people or Human day ? Anyway as long as the words dieu est mon droit are on the coat of arms one cannot unite all the religions especialy those non beleivers , an Englishmans home is his catle is'nt that enough ? I am English. not scottish Irish welsh , my religion is my own personal affair, Laicity should be the order of the day , Followed By a republic , if these people think they can use old french ideas and words such as “Tolerance” To spend our money as is inevitably the case when giving a national holiday and printing all the paraphenalia thats besides hiring Halls etc. Its disgusting ! why not have a global people are people or Human day ? Anyway as long as the words dieu est mon droit are on the coat of arms one cannot unite all the religions especialy those non beleivers , an Englishmans home is his catle is’nt that enough ?

]]> By: Nigel http://blogs.reuters.com/uknews/2008/03/11/should-we-have-an-oath-of-allegiance/comment-page-1/#comment-1376 Nigel Tue, 11 Mar 2008 12:40:01 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/uknews/2008/03/11/should-we-have-an-oath-of-allegiance/#comment-1376 The fact that members of ethnic minorities don't feel this is relevant is precisely the driver! Absolutely everybody should swear allegiance, although whether it should be the monarch is another thing. Those that are not allied to the common grouping are a threat to the democracy you are searching so have for The fact that members of ethnic minorities don’t feel this is relevant is precisely the driver! Absolutely everybody should swear allegiance, although whether it should be the monarch is another thing. Those that are not allied to the common grouping are a threat to the democracy you are searching so have for

]]> By: Craig http://blogs.reuters.com/uknews/2008/03/11/should-we-have-an-oath-of-allegiance/comment-page-1/#comment-1373 Craig Tue, 11 Mar 2008 12:24:34 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/uknews/2008/03/11/should-we-have-an-oath-of-allegiance/#comment-1373 Being an expat living in Spain, and also a History student, i find certain similarities in past european dictatorships. Why do we have to be like everyone else? I thought the whole point of being British was to be different to everyone else, like driving on the left-side of the road and drinking room-temparature ale; things you can be proud of! And if you defend democracy like we do, why do you have to make an oath to someone who was not elected democratically? The figure of the Monarchy should be something that you choose to acknowledge, and not be made to swear to recognise as your ruler. This just seems to be the attempt of some old conservatives to get the young uns' to pay attention, and give the Queen some recognition. And "some sense of citizenship" sounds awfully nationalist in this global, multinational era in which we live in: your all European citizens like everyone else, for crying out loud! Being an expat living in Spain, and also a History student, i find certain similarities in past european dictatorships.
Why do we have to be like everyone else? I thought the whole point of being British was to be different to everyone else, like driving on the left-side of the road and drinking room-temparature ale; things you can be proud of!
And if you defend democracy like we do, why do you have to make an oath to someone who was not elected democratically? The figure of the Monarchy should be something that you choose to acknowledge, and not be made to swear to recognise as your ruler.
This just seems to be the attempt of some old conservatives to get the young uns’ to pay attention, and give the Queen some recognition.
And “some sense of citizenship” sounds awfully nationalist in this global, multinational era in which we live in: your all European citizens like everyone else, for crying out loud!

]]> By: D-tec http://blogs.reuters.com/uknews/2008/03/11/should-we-have-an-oath-of-allegiance/comment-page-1/#comment-1371 D-tec Tue, 11 Mar 2008 12:11:44 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/uknews/2008/03/11/should-we-have-an-oath-of-allegiance/#comment-1371 This proposal strikes me as a last ditch attempt to promote feelings of nationalism in an increasingly globalised world. But why are they trying to do this? I think really its missing the point. The problem is not with people not feeling like British Citizens, the problem is with people not feeling or acting like citizens at all. The real problem here is libertarianism and individualism, leading to a breakdown in community which was kick started into the mainstream during the Thatcher government. Its been continued over the last 25 years with continuing neoliberal policy, putting money and business before community and people, alongside the comlplete change in the demographics of the workforce. All of this has increasing caused neighbourhoods of self preserving individuals, divorced parents, single working mothers and a distrust of strangers and neighbours. Feelings of community and belonging to a real tangible local group are far more important than the feeling of belonging to the arbitrary concept of the nation state. What does it mean to be British anyway? What concept of Britishness does Lord Goldsmith aspire to with these proposals? Britain has always been a incredibly diverse and constantly evolving country. Being forced to pledge alegiance to the archahic concept of a monarch will simply have no meaning or alienate young people. What should be encouraged is local grass roots citizenship and belonging to groups which actually impact you...a local football team, a local pub, a community centre for kids...turning off the TV and inviting your neighbours round for dinner. Despite all this, if we get a day off for being British I'm all for it. This proposal strikes me as a last ditch attempt to promote feelings of nationalism in an increasingly globalised world. But why are they trying to do this? I think really its missing the point. The problem is not with people not feeling like British Citizens, the problem is with people not feeling or acting like citizens at all. The real problem here is libertarianism and individualism, leading to a breakdown in community which was kick started into the mainstream during the Thatcher government. Its been continued over the last 25 years with continuing neoliberal policy, putting money and business before community and people, alongside the comlplete change in the demographics of the workforce. All of this has increasing caused neighbourhoods of self preserving individuals, divorced parents, single working mothers and a distrust of strangers and neighbours. Feelings of community and belonging to a real tangible local group are far more important than the feeling of belonging to the arbitrary concept of the nation state. What does it mean to be British anyway? What concept of Britishness does Lord Goldsmith aspire to with these proposals? Britain has always been a incredibly diverse and constantly evolving country. Being forced to pledge alegiance to the archahic concept of a monarch will simply have no meaning or alienate young people. What should be encouraged is local grass roots citizenship and belonging to groups which actually impact you…a local football team, a local pub, a community centre for kids…turning off the TV and inviting your neighbours round for dinner. Despite all this, if we get a day off for being British I’m all for it.

]]> By: John Bell http://blogs.reuters.com/uknews/2008/03/11/should-we-have-an-oath-of-allegiance/comment-page-1/#comment-1370 John Bell Tue, 11 Mar 2008 11:18:56 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/uknews/2008/03/11/should-we-have-an-oath-of-allegiance/#comment-1370 This is an extraordinary proposal; society in the UK is still divided along class lines and as long as we have a Monarchy this country will never be a modern democracy. The idea of swearing allegiance to any one thing harks back to days of Empire and the King; How relevant to young people from varied ethnic backgrounds is the Queen? The sooner the Monarchy is swept away the better; much better to work towards common goals to ensure a modern working robust democracy is in place for all to take part in and benefit from. This is an extraordinary proposal; society in the UK is still divided along class lines and as long as we have a Monarchy this country will never be a modern democracy. The idea of swearing allegiance to any one thing harks back to days of Empire and the King; How relevant to young people from varied ethnic backgrounds is the Queen? The sooner the Monarchy is swept away the better; much better to work towards common goals to ensure a modern working robust democracy is in place for all to take part in and benefit from.

]]> By: Nigel http://blogs.reuters.com/uknews/2008/03/11/should-we-have-an-oath-of-allegiance/comment-page-1/#comment-1368 Nigel Tue, 11 Mar 2008 10:53:21 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/uknews/2008/03/11/should-we-have-an-oath-of-allegiance/#comment-1368 I find it slightly ironic (a British thing in itself) that this Government denounced an actual British festivity which at least some of the public want last week (the Proms) and this week propose the introduction of something quite frankly irrelevant. We should celebrate our Britishness - but this would merely celebrate the monarchy. Having a British day is the best idea - I think the vast majority of Britons would welcome an extra holiday! I find it slightly ironic (a British thing in itself) that this Government denounced an actual British festivity which at least some of the public want last week (the Proms) and this week propose the introduction of something quite frankly irrelevant. We should celebrate our Britishness – but this would merely celebrate the monarchy. Having a British day is the best idea – I think the vast majority of Britons would welcome an extra holiday!

]]> By: Lorne http://blogs.reuters.com/uknews/2008/03/11/should-we-have-an-oath-of-allegiance/comment-page-1/#comment-1367 Lorne Tue, 11 Mar 2008 10:48:23 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/uknews/2008/03/11/should-we-have-an-oath-of-allegiance/#comment-1367 ...and why exactly do we feel the need to copy the Americans ? …and why exactly do we feel the need to copy the Americans ?

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