National-pride push is not their cup of tea

LONDON - Alarmed that Britons don't know what it means to be British anymore, the government is proposing measures to remind them.

For starters, a new report suggests, how about asking graduating high school seniors to say a pledge of allegiance, and scheduling a national patriotic holiday?

The result has been a wave of

veddy

British irritation.

Among young and old, liberal and conservative, religious and not, the reaction to the recommendations on boosting "citizenship" has been overwhelmingly dismissive.

Real Brits don't do oaths of citizenship, say some. It's "too American," say others.

Scotland, always threatening to bolt the United Kingdom, made it clear it wasn't inclined to pledge loyalty to the queen. Wales also was unenthusiastic.

"I think in this day and age of a global world, I would find it very hard to swear allegiance to one country," said Clarissa Williams, vice president of the National Association of Head Teachers. She said she was not sure her students would like the pledge.

The "Britishness" issue has dogged the nation as the growing autonomy of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, along with major immigration from Asia and Central Europe, has watered down traditional symbols such as tea, rugby and addiction to the soap opera

EastEnders

.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown, a Scot, and thus somewhat mistrusted in England, seized on the Britishness issue as he took office.

The July 7, 2005, bombings on the London transport system, committed by British Muslims, made the issue of what it meant to be a British citizen a matter of crucial national security, he said.

"While the British response to the events of July 7 was magnificent, we have to face uncomfortable facts that there were British citizens, British born, apparently integrated into our communities, who were prepared to maim and kill fellow British citizens, irrespective of their religion," Brown said last year in calling for this week's report.

He has lamented that there is no British Fourth of July or Bastille Day.

Some recommendations in the report, prepared by former Attorney General Peter Goldsmith, have won grudging support.

The idea of a British national day by 2012, in time for the London Olympics, has been hailed as, at the least, a chance for an extra day off work. Many have applauded offering breaks on tuition or local taxes in exchange for community service.

Likewise, clarifying the various responsibilities of citizenship seems to many to make sense, along with encouraging long-term foreign residents to apply for citizenship.

But the preponderant response has been that Brits don't need the government telling them how to be British. Many have said that loyalty oaths are less meaningful than upholding "British values" such as tolerance, a commitment to liberty, and perseverance under adversity.

Many took the opportunity to weigh in on the sore issue of the moment, a new European Union treaty that many believe will delegate even more powers to the EU.

"The rise of the EU, globalization and internationalism have weakened the notion of a sovereign nation state that was master of its own destiny," Anthony Browne, head of the Policy Exchange think tank, wrote in the Daily Mail.

To help define what it means to be British, the tabloid Sun consulted celebrities and readers. Some responses:

"Bad teeth framed by a stiff upper lip."

"Socks with sandals."

"Men offer seats to ladies on crowded trains."