Now this is just disrespecting Britain...
 

From the local news:

"DERBY Mayor Sean Marshall is taking a tough line during citizenship ceremonies. The number of people granted UK citizenship in the city has risen by about a third in the past four years. But Councillor Marshall says he has suspended some of the ceremonies if the new citizen has refused to stand for the British national anthem – only allowing it to continue if they rose to their feet. Although Mr Marshall does not have the power to refuse citizenship, he wishes to show those becoming British citizens that they should respect the country. Mr Marshall has also refused to hand over certificates to anyone who will not shake his hand. The certificates are, instead, given to the new citizens after the ceremony.

He said: "The whole point of these ceremonies is to swear allegiance to the country and so standing up for the anthem to show respect is, in my opinion, crucial. Some people did not shake my hand. I can understand in the case of Muslim women who don't want to shake a male's hand so if people do not want to shake my hand they still get their certificate, but after the ceremony." Mr Marshall said that, in the majority of cases, people did stand for the anthem and shake his hand. "

Now Derby is a multi-cultural city and I like living here. I have no problem at all with people from other countries/cultures/religions coming here and I enjoy the variety that it brings to the city. I don't know who wouldn't shake hands with the mayor (I know there are some issues in some muslim sects with women shaking hands with men) but when you are granted citizenship in this country and will neither stand for the anthem, nor shake the hand of the mayor, we have to say enough is enough and this really isn't the place for you to settle.

Yours, Annoyed of Derby

Re: Now this is just disrespecting Britain...
 

:cheers::cheers: I'd vote you in for Mayor:cheers::cheers: Stand up for being british

The folk who get granted asylum and citizenship papers, only to then not get any jobs, and scrounge off the hard pressed tax payer the rest of their lives, ought to be rounded up gestapo style, and put onto a plane immediately, and deported.. I'm fed up paying for these scrounging layabouts, and having to manage two jobs just to make ends meet:nomore::nomore:


I know some cultures have their own way of life, but if you're mad enough to want to live in the UK now, at least shake the hand of the man, and learn the language.. and get a job to contribute back into the system..


If you don't work, then you get everything for free, if you do work hard all your days and pay taxes, and happen to fall on hard times, then apply for help, all the welfare do is kick you in the balls, and ignore you..:smt094

Re: Now this is just disrespecting Britain...
 

i still fail too see why we havnt just completely copied the aussie's way of doing immigration it work's so much better as for not standing for the anthem they should be sent packing right away.

Re: Now this is just disrespecting Britain...
 

Whilst not defending immigrants who fail to stand for the National Anthem, I must wonder what proportion of the indigenous population do.

My own experience suggests it's not that common any more.

Re: Now this is just disrespecting Britain...
 

I agree, but it's a bit different when you are applying for citizenship and refuse to stand at the ceremony where you are actually achieve it, and refuse to shake hands with the mayor of the city where you want to live.

Re: Now this is just disrespecting Britain...
 

does this apply to the indigenous population who choose to do the same? Where would you send them?

Re: Now this is just disrespecting Britain...
 

Hands up to those who can honestly say they know the british national anthem by heart to not only stand up but sing along with it?

It seems that the only time people these days are that patriotic, is standing on a football pitch singing it with thousands of others.

Re: Now this is just disrespecting Britain...
 

I think this is a rather arbitrary and bigoted way of determining who should get citizenship,a bit like Tebbits cricket test.
Its not compulsory to be a royalist for a start,and you get UK citizenship,so you might prefere to stand for the Scottish or Welsh anthem?Far better tunes both of em.

Re: Now this is just disrespecting Britain...
 

It isn't determining who gets citizenship - they already have it and are receiving the award of it at this ceremony. However, don't you think it's disrespectful that when a country grants you citzienship you refuse to respect the anthem of that country at the very ceremony where you receive the award, and on top of it refuse to shake hands with the person giving you your citzenship documents?

Let's put the boot on the other foot. If I were applying to be a citizen of another country I'd be grateful when accepted and respect both their anthem and the mayor of the city where I chose to live. Wouldn't you?

Re: Now this is just disrespecting Britain...
 

I´m afraid to say that not many English abroad would do.