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Ministers proposing 'Britain Day' Ministers proposing 'Britain Day'
(about 1 hour later)
A national "Britain Day" to celebrate the its values and achievements is being proposed by two senior ministers. A national "Britain Day" to celebrate its values and achievements is being proposed by two senior ministers.
Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly and Immigration Minister Liam Byrne say it could be a new bank holiday or linked to the state opening of Parliament.Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly and Immigration Minister Liam Byrne say it could be a new bank holiday or linked to the state opening of Parliament.
In a pamphlet on their proposals, they also suggest immigrants could have the chance to "earn" British citizenship.In a pamphlet on their proposals, they also suggest immigrants could have the chance to "earn" British citizenship.
Under a points-based system, credit would be given for doing voluntary work but lost for breaking the law.Under a points-based system, credit would be given for doing voluntary work but lost for breaking the law.
'Neighbour contracts''Neighbour contracts'
The two ministers say UK communities need a stronger sense of what they have in common, and they say the proposed national day would celebrate British values and achievements.The two ministers say UK communities need a stronger sense of what they have in common, and they say the proposed national day would celebrate British values and achievements.
Mr Byrne said: "At a time when we face the threat of a new extremism, I just think it's important now for the law-abiding majority to stand up for the values that we've got in common.Mr Byrne said: "At a time when we face the threat of a new extremism, I just think it's important now for the law-abiding majority to stand up for the values that we've got in common.
WHICH EVENT COULD DAY MARK? Magna Carta-signing: 27%VE Day: 21%D-Day: 14% Armistice Day: 11%Trafalgar victory: 10%Slave trade abolished: 6%Napoleon's defeat: 4%Churchill's birth: 3%Cromwellian republic: 2%Reform Act: 2% Source: BBC History magazine, 2006 surveyWHICH EVENT COULD DAY MARK? Magna Carta-signing: 27%VE Day: 21%D-Day: 14% Armistice Day: 11%Trafalgar victory: 10%Slave trade abolished: 6%Napoleon's defeat: 4%Churchill's birth: 3%Cromwellian republic: 2%Reform Act: 2% Source: BBC History magazine, 2006 survey
"One of the ways that we can do that is just taking a bit of time out each year to actually celebrate what we're proudest of in this country.""One of the ways that we can do that is just taking a bit of time out each year to actually celebrate what we're proudest of in this country."
One of the ministers' suggestions is for "good neighbour contracts" setting out rights and duties for all people new to the UK.One of the ministers' suggestions is for "good neighbour contracts" setting out rights and duties for all people new to the UK.
Young people could receive "citizens packs" when they come of age, setting out what is expected of adults.Young people could receive "citizens packs" when they come of age, setting out what is expected of adults.
This would give information on voter registration, volunteering opportunities and expectations of what they might be asked to undertake, such as jury service.This would give information on voter registration, volunteering opportunities and expectations of what they might be asked to undertake, such as jury service.
Debt of gratitudeDebt of gratitude
Other suggestions for how Britain Day might take shape, made in the pamphlet for the left-of-centre think tank, the Fabian Society, include:Other suggestions for how Britain Day might take shape, made in the pamphlet for the left-of-centre think tank, the Fabian Society, include:
  • Celebrating civic values, local heritage and opportunities to get involved in local life.
  • Celebrating civic values, local heritage and opportunities to get involved in local life.
  • Holding local "citizenship ceremonies".
  • Holding local "citizenship ceremonies".
  • Celebrating and promoting voluntary work in communities.
  • Celebrating and promoting voluntary work in communities.
  • Showing a debt of gratitude to war veterans who helped to secure freedoms.
  • Showing a debt of gratitude to war veterans who helped to secure freedoms.
  • The Queen's state opening of Parliament speech could be followed by a "State of the Nation" address from the prime minister.
  • The Queen's state opening of Parliament speech could be followed by a "State of the Nation" address from the prime minister.
  • 'Recapture the flag''Recapture the flag'
    Prime-minister-in-waiting Gordon Brown has himself previously floated the idea of day to promote the nation's identity.Prime-minister-in-waiting Gordon Brown has himself previously floated the idea of day to promote the nation's identity.
    In a speech in 2006, he said it was important the union jack was recaptured from the far right and that promoting integration had become even more important since the previous year's 7 July London suicide bombings.In a speech in 2006, he said it was important the union jack was recaptured from the far right and that promoting integration had become even more important since the previous year's 7 July London suicide bombings.
    BBC News political editor Nick Robinson said Mr Brown has wondered privately why young British men blew themselves and their fellow citizens up, when in the US, where they celebrate their citizenship much more, young Muslim men had not done the same.BBC News political editor Nick Robinson said Mr Brown has wondered privately why young British men blew themselves and their fellow citizens up, when in the US, where they celebrate their citizenship much more, young Muslim men had not done the same.
    In 2006, a survey by BBC History magazine suggested the anniversary of the signing of Magna Carta in 1215 would be the most popular day for a Britain Day.In 2006, a survey by BBC History magazine suggested the anniversary of the signing of Magna Carta in 1215 would be the most popular day for a Britain Day.
    The 15 June date was favoured by 27% of the 5,002 people polled, ahead of VE Day (8 May) with 21%, and D-Day (6 June) with 14%.The 15 June date was favoured by 27% of the 5,002 people polled, ahead of VE Day (8 May) with 21%, and D-Day (6 June) with 14%.