Pupils to made to swear allegiance to the Queen

[spanglechick]

let's face it - if this comes in the unions will just fold over like a pack of cards. As usual.

Why so doom laden?(National) teachers strikes have worked before (in the eighties). I can't see teachers rolling over and agreeing to do this.

I shouldn't think they'd pursue it that far though.

We're now talking twenty years ago. That's how far back you have to go to see anything approaching even partially successfull strike action in most industries, let alone teaching.

Also, the idea is to get school-leavers to swear allegiance - so it'd probably be in front of some public official rather than the teaching staff.

The teaching unions are still active - we've got to be one of the most heavily unionised professions still around - and we have a pretty untouchable and comprehensive document of pay and conditions because of that.
SATs testing is about the only unpopular thing to have got through in recent years.

 

[FridgeMagnet]

The point of this sort of "proposal" is not to go through anyway.

The point is (a) to test the waters and (b) take the "debate" further towards nationalistic authoritarianism. The mere fact that it is being discussed at all, that the media is saying "so, _should_ we make teenagers swear allegiance to the crown?" moves the Overton window in that direction. Oh, and it also keeps people busy, if they actually feel the need to say more than "you must be fucking joking" to this sort of toss.

 

[danny la rouge]

The SNP supports the British Monarchy - making them the oddest independance movement I've ever known (I've heard this was to avoid upsetting Scottish Protesant Loyalists and so avoid an 'Ireland scenario'.

Yup, this pragmatic monarchism needs to be seen in the light of former SNP leader Billy Wolfe's remarks on JPII's visit to Scotland.

In light of this, whether they'd object too strongly to such a measure remains to be seen.

They'll object on the grounds that it is Britishness being promoted.

 

[lewislewis]

The SNP supports the British Monarchy - making them the oddest independance movement I've ever known (I've heard this was to avoid upsetting Scottish Protesant Loyalists and so avoid an 'Ireland scenario'. Imo, this will only leave the issue fudged and festering for later on). In light of this, whether they'd object too strongly to such a measure remains to be seen.

It's true that the SNP has a tolerance of the British monarchy, but their government has indeed rejected this measure in quite strong terms.

Their support for the monarchy is also critical in that they say the subject should be put to a referendum on whether to keep ties with the monarchy or not. I have no idea what the outcome of such a referendum would be.

I think alot of their voters would be anti-monarchy though and that because Brown is pushing this, well yes it'll rile them.

 

[chainsaw cat]

It won't get off the ground, it'll be like Tony Banks's suggestion for an all-Britain football team.

But that's an idea with some merit. Goldsmith's proposals are funny jokes.

 

[Barking_Mad]

The point of this sort of "proposal" is not to go through anyway.

The point is (a) to test the waters and (b) take the "debate" further towards nationalistic authoritarianism. The mere fact that it is being discussed at all, that the media is saying "so, _should_ we make teenagers swear allegiance to the crown?" moves the Overton window in that direction. Oh, and it also keeps people busy, if they actually feel the need to say more than "you must be fucking joking" to this sort of toss.

What he said.