Governement and Britishness
Discussion
Was catching up on some news a day or two ago and noticed an article on the BBC that highlighted a case of a chap that had lived here for 40+ years, had a family and was perfectly legal.
He has now applied for some sort of job in security and his license has been denied/cancelled due to the inability to provide a work permit and proof of the requisite permits or such to allow him to work here. Seems he is perfectly legal, as he has been since he got here at the age of 5 or something but doesn’t have the work permit stamped somewhere.
He now has to take some test in order to qualify as British.
Anyway, the point of the post is that he had to practice online assessments prior to the main big one which would help prove his suitability to carry a Union Jack about etc. The piece then showed a screen shot of one of the test questions and the title in big bold letters was "Governement" and then proceeded to ask him whether the Queen regularly stood up and spoke out against Government.
Can’t these morons on their final salary pensions etc even spell? How old are the guys who proof read these questions? What sort of standards do we have in the civil service these days?
p.s. - If there are any typos in this post, don't flame me pls.... and I know some of the above are American spellings
He has now applied for some sort of job in security and his license has been denied/cancelled due to the inability to provide a work permit and proof of the requisite permits or such to allow him to work here. Seems he is perfectly legal, as he has been since he got here at the age of 5 or something but doesn’t have the work permit stamped somewhere.
He now has to take some test in order to qualify as British.
Anyway, the point of the post is that he had to practice online assessments prior to the main big one which would help prove his suitability to carry a Union Jack about etc. The piece then showed a screen shot of one of the test questions and the title in big bold letters was "Governement" and then proceeded to ask him whether the Queen regularly stood up and spoke out against Government.
Can’t these morons on their final salary pensions etc even spell? How old are the guys who proof read these questions? What sort of standards do we have in the civil service these days?
p.s. - If there are any typos in this post, don't flame me pls.... and I know some of the above are American spellings
I don't know how many countries there are in the Commonwealth, and I was born and bred here. I do however know how to have a good moan about the Goverment (Tory or Labour) moan about the weather and moan about taxes. Does that make me British? (I prefer to be known as English anyhow).
I prefer to be known as Irish - but I am now British. Believe me, the Irish can outmoan the English by a long way. They call them "begrudgers" over there.
The test is a good idea as at least it makes those who want to be British learn something about the country they are planning to become nationals of. Unfortunately, length of time in the country prior to applying for citizenship does not get you off the test.
There are 53 countries in the Commonwealth, by the way.
The test is a good idea as at least it makes those who want to be British learn something about the country they are planning to become nationals of. Unfortunately, length of time in the country prior to applying for citizenship does not get you off the test.
There are 53 countries in the Commonwealth, by the way.
EDLT said:
Eric Mc said:
There are 53 countries in the Commonwealth, by the way.
I guessed twelve. When I did geography at school Britain was never mentioned, we did Brazil (mostly it's rainforests) though. 
Question No.2 - which is the most recent counttry to join (Clue - they were never part of the old British Empire).
Not many, it's true. I am eligible now (of course) for a UK passport - although I have yet to apply for it. There MAY be occasions when having a British passport might be more beneficial if abroad. There are far more UK Embassies and Consulates than there are Irish ones, for example. Conversly, there may be occasions when having a British passport might not be such a good idea. I haven't made my mind up yet as whether I will hang on to my Irish one AND apply for a UK one as well.
When I was competing in sprints, I ran into problems with the MSA over here precisely because I was a non-UK citizen. Because I was still Irish, they wouldn't renew my UK Competition Licence without the all-clear from the Irish Motorsport governing body - even though I hadn't lived in Ireland for over 20 years and had never held an Irish competition licence - so Irish Motorsport didn't have a clue as to who I was.
It is much easier to get a UK road driving licence as a non-UK national than it is to get a UK Competition Licence.
So, there are some practical reasons - but in the end it was wanting to feel like I belonged properly. After 23 years and no intention to go back to Ireland to live, I felt making a commitment to my adopted country was the correct thing to do. After all, if was OK for Tery Wogan to do it, it must be OK for me.
When I was competing in sprints, I ran into problems with the MSA over here precisely because I was a non-UK citizen. Because I was still Irish, they wouldn't renew my UK Competition Licence without the all-clear from the Irish Motorsport governing body - even though I hadn't lived in Ireland for over 20 years and had never held an Irish competition licence - so Irish Motorsport didn't have a clue as to who I was.
It is much easier to get a UK road driving licence as a non-UK national than it is to get a UK Competition Licence.
So, there are some practical reasons - but in the end it was wanting to feel like I belonged properly. After 23 years and no intention to go back to Ireland to live, I felt making a commitment to my adopted country was the correct thing to do. After all, if was OK for Tery Wogan to do it, it must be OK for me.
hugo a gogo said:
Out of interest Eric, what benefit does British nationality bring to a (former?) Irish citizen? I thought you had pretty much all the same rights anyway
I was just going to ask the same, my grandparents never changed their status and remained Irish to the day they died, although there were over here for 40 years or so.cs02rm0 said:
Anyone devising a test of Britishness needs to be kicked out to start with.
I honestly don't see the problem - especially for those who are not as au fait (a good English expression) with the history and culture of these islands. I found it a breeze - but the Irish tend to know more about Britain than the Brits do.A couple of friends were doing it (Aussies) and I had a look through their book. I was quite ashamed at my lack of knowledge!
A good idea IMHO as it's not massively difficult so shouldn't hinder anyone who really wants to pass and at the same time will engender a sense of belonging in those who become citizens.
A good idea IMHO as it's not massively difficult so shouldn't hinder anyone who really wants to pass and at the same time will engender a sense of belonging in those who become citizens.
Eric Mc said:
EDLT said:
Eric Mc said:
There are 53 countries in the Commonwealth, by the way.
I guessed twelve. When I did geography at school Britain was never mentioned, we did Brazil (mostly it's rainforests) though. Question No.2 - which is the most recent counttry to join (Clue - they were never part of the old British Empire).
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