← Autodidact Archive · Original Dissent · Hilaire Belloc
Thread ID: 9496 | Posts: 5 | Started: 2003-09-03
2003-09-03 17:54 | User Profile
[url=http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=573&ncid=757&e=8&u=/nm/20030903/od_nm/immigration_dc]http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=stor.../immigration_dc[/url]
Facing a 'Britishness' Test?? Wed Sep 3,10:07 AM ET
LONDON (Reuters) - Immigrants to Britain might have to demonstrate English language skills and their "Britishness" to gain citizenship, the government said Wednesday.
"Life in the United Kingdom," a report which recommends the tests, comes as the government tries to calm fears that the country is becoming swamped with asylum seekers and illegal immigrants.
"The new requirements are to be seen not as a new hurdle but as a much needed entitlement," said the government-commissioned report. "Those who become British citizens should ... have a sense of belonging to a wider community."
The concept of citizenship tests have been a controversial issue in Britain ever since Norman Tebbit, a leading lieutenant of former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, notoriously suggested a "cricket test," under which immigrants could only be classified as British if they cheered for the England cricket team
Over 100,000 would take the new tests each year, under the new proposals. Those failing would not be asked to leave, but they would be refused a British passport or the right to vote, said Sir Bernard Crick, who chaired the group behind the report.
"We are trying to ensure people are capable of integrating in society," Home Secretary David Blunkett told BBC radio. "How can you build a cohesive society if people can't communicate?"
The government has pledged to halve the number of asylum claims within the space of a year. It has until October to meet that pledge.
Last year, Britain topped the European league with 103,000 claimants, a 20 percent rise year on year.
The report group rejected suggestions that immigrants be coached in British history, instead opting for British democracy; multiculturalism; legal rights and employment opportunities.
2003-09-03 18:13 | User Profile
Sounds like they are trying to prevent entry by the third worlders who want a satellite of their own opposing culture inside of every country with large white populations, eating away at the foundations of the host country.
2003-09-03 19:38 | User Profile
Originally posted by phoenix8313@Sep 3 2003, 18:13 * Sounds like they are trying to prevent entry by the third worlders who want a satellite of their own opposing culture* inside of every country with large white populations, eating away at the foundations of the host country.
phoenix, They aren't trying to oppose entry of anyone in doing this. Aside from the fact that it is a meaningless sop (although that didn't stop it being 'controversial'), the supposed native values they are signing up for includes multiculturalism.
2003-09-03 19:58 | User Profile
This right here is a contradiction...
"We are trying to ensure people are capable of integrating in society," Home Secretary David Blunkett told BBC radio. "How can you build a cohesive society if people can't communicate?"
of this.
Over 100,000 would take the new tests each year, under the new proposals. Those failing would not be asked to leave, but they would be refused a British passport or the right to vote, said Sir Bernard Crick, who chaired the group behind the report.
Leveller, I think that you are right. What's the point of the first paragarph above if they aren't willing to deport them? It's only a small jump to "citizenship." Of course the crap about "democracy" instead of history shows their hand. More "Phony Tony" for you.
2003-09-03 20:20 | User Profile
Yeah, I missed the "would not be asked to leave" part. I saw the part about speaking English and got all light-headed about that idea ever keeping some of the filthy 3rd world rif raf out of the US. :blink: