If only we English had a First Minister to speak up for us. Wait a minute, we do! We have the man who can't even say 'England', our de-facto First Minister, the Scotsman with no mandate in 'The Regions'.....Kirckaldy and Cowdenbeath's very own...Gordon Brown!

Come on England, wake up! At the very least we should be calling for our own parliament and first minister. Ideally we should be calling for independence. Britain is like an elderly person being kept alive on life support when we all know the caring thing to do is switch it off and just let them die with dignity.

Apart from football (a useful distraction) we're not allowed to be English, we have Britishness foisted upon us.

Independence for all of the British nations is surely inevitable, why no do it now before it gets even more sour? I would happily swear an oath to England.

Johno, Basingstoke, England

This article has brought out some extreme views that are probably written by the same few hundred or so people, who may also comment in a similar way on similar articles in the Daily Mail. I don't actually think the anti-Scottish views espoused by some of these comments are representative of the views of English people as a whole, but they are sounding increasingly like the rantings of the National Front.

Paul, Glasgow,

So Scotland ,Wales and N.Ireland don't want the oath of allegiance-----wait a minute there is another country who hasn't been asked ,indeed has no one to speak for her ,yes, thats right , England!!!
England has no Parliament , no first Minister no nothing,not one M.Pin Westminster who will stand and say ,this is not "Britain" Mr. Brown is talking about this is England,only Brown can barely speak Englands name.
England must have her own Parliament,with a first minister ,who will speak for us,and thats where we will swear our allegiance. England!!

E Justice, gateshead, England

This is the last resort of a Scot who wields power due to voters in a devolved Scottish constituency,but without a single English vote.
How can we ask our English school leavers to salute the colonial flag, that sad trapping of a vanished empire?.
'Britishness' is a mockery, as it represents nothing more real than one man's attempt to turn back the tide of English, Welsh and Scots nationalism and this act will consign him and his party to the dustbin of history, He will create such a backlash that this will restore our nations to what they were for centuries before the union flag or as it is widely known the butcher's apron was invented in 1707.
Instead of this nonsense we should be discussing how to rebalance the constitutional deficit endured by the English by restoring our English parliament.

mark taylor, Crawley, England

Hi Steve,
It's only called the Union Jack when flown from a ship (from the Jackstaff).
The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
Scotland, with about a 10th of the Uk population managed to provide a 7th of the casualties in the World Wars. About 23% of the British Armed Forces are Scottish. For the duration of the Thatcher years Scotland paid about 2 billion pounds a year more in taxes than was disbursed (treasury figures, eventually.
What a load of scroungers we are.
Would the Queen of England (as she is known throughout the world) be pleased at being called Elizabeth the Frst if the oath to her was taken in Scotland? More English should emigrate, and then the Celtiic nations can reclaim Britain.

David Glen, Glasgow, Scotland

as a born and bred scotsman i think to have to say an oath of this type is totaly against everything the scots have had to fight and strugle for for hundreds of years.
It goes against our freedom and our rights as scots and welsh free people.

john, acton, canada

Sir/Madam.The recent proposals for an oath of allegiance and a Britisness test have not surprisingly fallen on deaf ears in Scotland,Wales and N.Ireland,These countries are basking in the benefits of devolution whilst England continues to be stripped of its dignity and wealth to pay for it all.So only English people will fall into these requirements as usual,these are back door gimmicks specifically targeting any pride in England by this anti- English excuse of a government.They invent this Britishness nonsence to hide the blatant discrimination faced by English people on a day to day basis.Only an English parliament could take on these proposals and consign them to where they belong.

will hanlon, huddersfield, ENGLAND

errrm...David Cameron a SCOT!? Last time I looked LONDON was in ENGLAND but if you wish to join us in the new enlightenment as North Berwick does then please feel free...!

steuart harrison, vienna/glasgow, austria/scotland

Has anyone ever wondered why we need a National Day? It's because the concept of Britishness has been on the wane since the fall of the end of WW2.

Britain is a bona fide geographical term, but also a tired political umbrella term whose time has expired. Most people in Britain increasingly see themselves as one of the constituent nationalities which make up political Britain.

The future is a cooperative of the 3 nations of Britain and possibly a United Ireland.

Brian Hill, Edinburgh, Scotland

Good for Scotland. At least there is still one part of the former United Kingdom which has some pride and a genuine national identity. The sooner we allow Northern Ireland to vote on their future, Scotland on theirs and Wales on theirs the better for everyone in this unhappy fiction of a country.

N.B. to all those whinging that Scotland doesn't pull its weight, note that many of the "UK"'s oil & gas fields lie in Scottish territory.

Philip, Tunbridge Wells, EU

Why has no-one mentioned that David Cameron, leader of the opposition, is also a Scot. My MP, Cameron`s right hand man is also a Scot, He, Desmond Swayne, thinks like his boss, that England doesn`t need a parliament of it`s own. So there will be no arguments coming form the opposition. As Swayne does not mention anywhere that he is a Scot, I wrote to him, asking, why he is ashamed to tell us he is a Scot and many other things, all I get is, your comments are noted.No hope for England. By the way England already has a national day, 23rd April !!! ( Are there lots of other SCOTS who are too ashamed to admit to it)

Ray Groutage, Ringwood, Hampshire, England

A national ay. Hmm? That's a great idea. What about a date? Nobody ever does anything 23rd April we could use that day! Oh, wait a minute, that IS our national day. Silly me, I forgot I was English and not British. Certainly seems like the govt. seem to want everyone to forget they're English. Please explain to me again how one person can be British (the way I see it, only if they are born in England, live in Scotland, their father was Welsh and mother from NI - or some such combination). Sorry Brown, I'm English through and through, I fly the flag and not just for sporting events. I'm so sick, in fact, of not being able to be English that I emigrated, like all good Englishmen should, maybe. Oh, and for those who prefer the Union Flag (Jack), I wonder how many of them could tell if it's flown upside down - the number of times I have seen it so flown on govt buildings and such IN ENGLAND is beyond belief!!!!

Steve, Luzern, CH

Those poor oppressed English patriots bleating plaintively about living under the jackboot of foul Scottish socialist colonialism need to learn simple arithmetic.
Labour has a majority of 96. If you remove all 39 Scottish labour MPs and the 20 Scottish opposition MPs, they have a majority of 57.
We have a Labour government because millions of decent English people chose, democratically, to elect a majority of Labour representatives.
And to the gentleman who asked "if Scotland is so great....why are half of them occupying ENGLISH jobs and living in ENGLISH homes?" Statistics obviously isn't your forte but prejudice and bitterness are.
The largest "immigrant" group in Scotland are the English, and as far as I as a Scottish nationalist am concerned they are more than welcome to stay and contribute to Scotland's wealth and Society should we gain independence.
You can make a perfectly reasonable case for English identity and autonomy without basing it on grudge politics.

Charles Addison, Glasgow,

I was born British and was always raised to be proud. Living in the North East of England I have seen this and previous governments take there toll on the social and economic structure of us 'Northerners' many times over the past 40 years. I have witnessed the closure of the steel industry, mining industry, hospitals, schools and a general lack of investment along with ever increasing taxes. Given these circumstances why would anyone want to be proud of being British and how would some Westminister dreamt up oath reinforce that belief in pride?

Personally I see Scotland doing a better job than England at running their respective country at the moment, so if someone wanted to move the border from Berwick upon Tweed south to Newcastle I would feel more pride in saying "I'm proud to be Scottish". England is becoming the poor relation or the withering limb of the rest of the United Kingdom at the moment and that needs serious change.

Conrad Sidey, Newcastle, United Kingdom

Well, this is a beggining of Albanization of UK. Soon, there will be new "Kosovo", and this time it will be on British territory. And don't say that you haven't been warned!

Oleg, Toronto, Canada

It makes you wonder; how much of a "grip" of the social realities for any community in the UK has the Westminister cliche really got. What hope is there of developing proposals for supporting members of new migrant communities/Islamic communities and others to buy into British values when those that are leading the intellectual charges on the matter produce ideas which are so inept. If they can't engage with identity and cultural issues linked to the devolved British Assemblies and Scottish Parliment , does it appear they are equipped to engage people with potential conflicting elements within their identity.Some intellectual rigor please and a bit of self confidence maybe.

Mark Proctor, Pembroke,

It's outrageous that this proposal from a Scots-led British government will only be imposed on England. Why? Because they want to destroy English nationalism because England is too big to fit in the Europe of the Regions.

IM Archer, Alton, England

This has come from Goldsmith, the man who would have to check his passport to see when he last visited the real world, acting on the instruction of a party which has done more than any other in recent history to destroy any feeling of national unity or patriotism.

Was he acting as a 'consultant' to do this? If so, I think we should know how much he was paid.

Bill, Ramsey, ENGLAND

Scotland IS sponging off England! Scottish MPs can vote in Parliament...English MPs cannot vote in Scotland. Taxes from England account for a sizable chunk of Scotland's income, in return for Scottish nationalist scorn for anything south of the "border". If Scotland wants "independence" and a "national identity" - then cut ALL ties and let Salmond and his mob have it - together with the need to explain to the Scottish people just why their taxes have just increased around 80-100%. After all, if Scotland is so great....why are half of them occupying ENGLISH jobs and living in ENGLISH homes in ENGLAND?

R. Sagan, Milton Keynes, Bucks

Perhaps it can be done as the Americans do. There is no pledge of allegiance to the head of state. The pledge is, "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." This could work in the UK with certain modifications. "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United Kingdom and to the democracy for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice or all." This could bolster union and pride in the country instead of in a hereditary figure-head. The flag already includes England, Scotland, and Ireland all in one.

Bill, New York, NY, USA

As we listen to the budget it is never made clear whether all or some items are for Britain or only for the poor old English, suffering this continual Raj of Scotto rule by MPs whose constituents are governed by a different parliament.
I suppose it's Tory laxity again, never mentioning this deep injustice, but the time has come to voice protest at this constitutional oppression.
Why is the Budget not marking English only vs British measures, point by point?

Tom, Witney, UK

Forced allegiance is meaningless. This is another Labour idea that will not go anywhere.

Gregor Addison, Glasgow, Scotland

This is ill conceived and badly thought out. By supposedly trying to meld a more cohesive Britain, Brown has succeeded in hastening its demise. One has to ask what this Scotsmans real motivation is. One can't help think too that Scottish politicians and others with a vested interest are promoting the idea that Scotland is sponging off the English in order to make English voters favour full Scottish independence. Petty, narrow minded nationalism from every corner will rend Britain asunder and reduce it to the same status as a Balkan statelet if we are not careful.

HC, London,

Let the Scots devolve entirely and stop taking the billions a year they get in subsidies from the English taxpayer. Let Wales and Northern Ireland go too if that's what they want. Then England can define itself, as long as PC, cultural relativism and "multiculturalism" are ditched. Those of us who are English know what Englishness means and don;t particularly need an oath.

Jan Thomas, Nottingham, UK

Constitutionally, there is no Queen of Britain or UK. HMQ has two sovereign roles - (i) Queen of Scotland and (ii) Queen of the rest of the UK and Commonwealth. The so-called "Union" of the Crowns never actually occurred and the two roles were quite independent of each other until the Union of the English and Scottish Parliaments, after which the niceties of constitutional reality started becoming increasingly blurred

BTW, tim of Auckland., Scotland has always been an immigration destination from the 1st Century Scots, Saxons, Angles and Vikings to the 2nd Century French, Irish, Italians and Asian to the 3rd Century Poles and Central Europeans. Even Inverness has Polish supermarkets, a Polish newspaper and, of course, Pole dancing!

Scott, Kingussie, Scottish Highlands

Britishness is a figment of the unionists' imagination. It does not exist. It is not real.
Brown has made himself a real laughing stock here in his own constituency with this pantomime.

I am NOT a subject and would never swear allegiance to ANY monarch.
I am a citizen and would swear allegiance to my country which is SCOTLAND.

Bob Christie, Burntisland, Fife

I live in Scotland, have mixed Scottish and English ancestry, see myself firmly as British and, having served in the British armed forces, have already taken an oath or allegiance to the Queen. So I don't see the problem with this. Bring it on and put the snivelling small-minded petty nationalists in each corner of Britain back in their nasty minded little boxes.

David, Edinburgh , UK

I was born British and was always raised to be proud. Living in the North East of England I have seen this and previous governments take there toll on the social and economic structure of us 'Northerners' many times over the past 40 years. I have witnessed the closure of the steel industry, mining industry, hospitals, schools and a general lack of investment along with ever increasing taxes. Given these circumstances why would anyone want to be proud of being British and how would some Westminister dreamt up oath reinforce that belief in pride?

Personally I see Scotland doing a better job than England at running their respective country at the moment, so if someone wanted to move the border from Berwick upon Tweed south to Newcastle I would feel more pride in saying "I'm proud to be Scottish". England is becoming the poor relation or the withering limb of the rest of the United Kingdom at the moment and that needs serious change.

Conrad Sidey, Newcastle, United Kingdom

Lets face it, those who elected the Labour Party in 1997 effectively destroyed the Union. Blair and Brown's real
historical legacy is the break up of our country, A breakup which has allowed third rate fringe politicians more influence and power than they could ever imagine.

You have to consider how well the Scottish parliament looks after education in Scotland.

That will be the education system that splits children up at the age of 5 based upon religion and reluctantly accepts multi-culturalism with the concept of a shared school campus. Just as long as there are separate playgrounds and doors for the non-denominationals and roman catholics.

Rafael Gazpacho, Witney, Oxfordshire

Lets just be done with the whoel thing and brake up the uk end the stratlothian question and give the english their freedom, ever day, ever time some one points out that the pm is scot all any one thinks about is the 50 odd scot labour mps that the pm relise upon to keep his power in westminster, the simple fact is that uk would have a conservative goverment if you took away the other 3 nations of the uk and labour would never get to power ever again.

That is the only reason they want to keep the uk in one peace.

Mr W Jones, Liverpool, England

They are all part of the UK. Some people in England don't like that fact but it is time to get on with doing our best for what we are part of, instead of this constant whinging and whining.

Commit yourselves to the best for us, stop shaming us with your unpleasant divisionism. If the UK gets strong enough then maybe, maybe, there will be the strength for the individual components to have more autonomy.

dominic, Teddington, UK,

This objection is just another example of the seperatist mentality in the Scottish parliament and Welsh assembly. We are moving towards a Quebec rest of Canada issue. Where we will do anything to appease a seperatish movement. What is needed is to remove the English tax subsidy for the asemblies so they have to raise tax in their own areas to pay for their excessive spending . This would then make the people of these areas see what a separetist government is really like. Then they might appreciate the union, which they presently bennefit more from than the English who they constantly rubbish.

Andrew Tagg, Halifax,

The late lamented Kenneth Cork stated that he knew immediately if a company was bust when he entered the reception, such would indicate if the directors had been running the business or spending time creating an image. Nu Lab and Broon in particular have brought the UK to its knees, all this "Britishness", "Citizenship", "new bank holidays", "recognition of troops", et al, is a smokescreen to divert the attention o the masses from the real situation.

Michael, Bridgwater , UK

"The EU will not allow this law to be passed." - Flatroofer, Radnor,

The law is already in place for immigrants. I have to abide by it and I have no choice. I don't really mind though because I view it as swearing allegiance to the United Kingdom as opposed to a person. The Queen is after all, a figurehead.

What really does annoy me though, is how Brit's accuse immigrants of diluting their culture and heritage. We are not the ones trying to throw away your history and heritage. We are not the ones trying to disband your Monarchy, you are. You should be using the Monarchy as a uniting concept, instead, you want to throw away your heritage.

Chantel, Wales,

Ivan, sure we'll go it alone - but you'll have to hand all those Crown mineral rights back. Oh dear, oh dear.

Andrew, Abu Dhabi,

I am very proud to be English but I do not need to swear allegiance to anyone let alone this foreign scottish socialist government that is so incompetently trying to govern my beloved country.

Robert Dixon, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire

The Queen is head of state for Scotland and Wales and could remain so should they gain independence, so why not make the oath to the Queen followed by choice of UK, England, Scotland, Wales etc?

Whilst they're at it, can they reform the treason laws so British passport holders who go to Iraq and Afghanistan to fight against our troops can face real punishement if they are caught?

Luke Nicolaides, London, UK

What happened to democracy? Are we not citizens? Many people, I am sure, would be proud to pledge allegiance to their country as citizens - not as subjects.

E.Millar, Dumfries, Scotland

What is to be done with those of us who, despite being English, are unable to take such an oath for intellectual reasons, namely being of republican belief, are we to be in some way discriminated against, through the tax system for example under Lord Goldsmith's recommendations?

Michael Elston, Durham, UK.

oh, sure... the scots, welsh and irish don't like it.

well, the english don't like it either. it's another quite ridiculous initiative from a government we wouldn't even have to suffer without the votes of scotland.

and I can assure you that londoners do not feel represented by this foreign government.

the government should be focused on doing something to make us proud.

jem, london, uk

We have probably all at some time been struck by a nostalgic desire to live in that "golden era" we remember best. For many this is their childhood, for others it is their early twenties, when they first took control of their own lives.

Advocates of devolution for Scotland/Wales are amplifying this desire to live in the past by several hundred years. There is no-one living to tell you what was great about independent Scotland 30 decades ago but none the less the believer is convinced that life was "better" then.

Scots have more personal freedom now in a democratic UK than they enjoyed as peasant tenant farmers ruled over by the King of Scotland 300 years past.

People with a greivance about a lack of true representation in parliament are as likely to be found in Carlisle or Exeter as they are to be found in Cardiff and Edinburgh. These individuals should unite to improve the UK instead of assuming that the situation would be better if they were part of a smaller country.

Bob, Reading,

What a pathetic proposal, I think that this lot have flipped their lids and it is time they were sent to an appropriate institution, like the dole. or worse. I would like them to get on with sorting out the problems the electorate want instead of grinding their own axes and pandering to the soft in the head. I for one have no allegiance to the Queen or Royal family, I believe personally some of them do a good job but the system is out of date and needs to be dismantled. Oh! but what would happen to the institution of Patronage, well we would still have the Lodges.

Dave Madley, Alicante, Spain

How about we just get the Politicians to swear an Oath of Allegiance to the people that elected them every time they entered the chamber in the House of Commons?

That way they may remember who put them there in the first place and why they are there.

Bry Barnes, Somerset, Uk

Why must I keep hearing this ridiculous myth that Scotland subsidises England, stop listening to that clown Alex Salmond's propaganda and check the facts. Does anyone in Scotland REALLY believe that the tax contributions and business endeavours of 50 million Englishmen is outweighed by 6 million Scotsmen? If you do then you are either seriously deluded or have problems with basic math. Go check out the facts and figures yourself, the FACT is that Scotland receives more funding per head than anyone else in the UK. The tax and business contributions of London ALONE far outweighs that of Scotland. Get real people.

J Roberts, Manchester, UK

It goes without saying that the Queen is respected by most if not all of her subjects even if they are republican, but it is a totally different matter to swearing allegiance in the future to 'King Charles the Great Adulterer. That would stick in most people's throats.

Mrs Hutchings, Poole, England

I am British. I was born in Wales, raised in British Columbia and now live and work in England. Our small country was great once, when it was fuelled by a unionism and sense of national pride. These proposals will not bring that back, they will only widen the divisions that already exist within our country thanks to small minded politicians who have led us into a path of seperatism in order to side step the real issues of growing detachment from the 'nation' as a whole.

We should be standing together, strong, proud of our heritage and intent on being a generation our decendants can be proud of. Instead of that our elected representatives bicker and fight over long demolished divisions, seemingly intent on dividing the country and weakening it's cultural bonds.

Contrived 'national days' and enforced swearing of allegiance are not going to make us a proud nation again. Stong leadership from people who genuinely feel strong feelings of allegiance themselves might.

C.Dalton, Hartford,

An oath of allegiance is fine with me, but I am English, not British.

BrummyDoug, Birmingham, England

We are the Queen's subjects and not citizens. Perhaps Lord Goldsmith would prefer a phasing out of the monarchy.

Iain Rae, Tunbridge Wells, UK

Another nail in the coffin of the "United" Kingdom - there can't be much space left for many more nails...

Gerry Watts, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

I thought at first this was the usual head-line spinning ill-thought out rubbish that Brown is so good at. BUT if the Scots, Welsh and Irish are so against it, it must have hidden attractions that I've not spotted yet - so now I'm all in favour!

By the way, wasn't it a hoot watching Goldsmith responding to questions about this scheme - he's obviously not used to being contradicted.

David Turner, Bolton, England

I'll swear allegiance, but only to England as an independent nation

Richard, Newcastle,

Gordon Brown has little sense of what it is to be British, and no understanding at all of what it is to be English. True Englishness is confidently understated, like a good suit.

Martin, London,

To Liam of Loughborough
If you want to talk about funds moved freely from England then what about coal taken from the Welsh valleys and villages flooded to provide England with water. It works both ways mate

Gareth Williams, Powys,

Alistair Darling in his first ever interview as chancellor told the FT that he didn't believe in "economic patriotism". Unfortunately for him - and us - just about every other country on the planet does.

DickW, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Discounts for being good citizens? Given the current government, this will doubtless be associated with attempts to make up for their financial incompetence by asking us to do work that we have already paid for through taxes. If good citizenship is simply not breaking the law or disrupting other people, fine. If it has a positive component, this is dangerous.

John Scott, London,

Labour don't undertand patriotism, its about loyalty to one's country not to the state and nor to the Queen.

Mark, Newcastle, England

The major point here is that, like it or not, the United Kingdom is breaking up. Scotland has it's own government, and all major parties there are pushing for extra powers from Westminster. The idea of "Britishness" is 30 years too late. What Goldsmith might do better with is if he pushed national cohesion within each of the UK countries...people could rally round that.
As it is, he is pushing against the tide, and will get nowhere.

Chris, Northampton, England

What about those who would happily swear an oath of allegiance to the Country but not to an hereditary monarch.

Peter Berman, Wiveliscombe, Somerset

Oath of Allegiance would be a good thing but for greater social benefit should be accompanied by a pledge not to join Drug or Criminal Gangs, not to carry offensive weapons.

Mahin Sen, Feltham, u.k.

All hail Big Brother... or it's Room 101 for you.

Irene Bujman, East Kilbride, Scotland

So now we're going to try to bribe citizens into national pride?

How about spending some of all those taxes you're reaping from us on youth centres to get young people involved in their communities? What about allowing us to express our Britishness amongst all the other cultures that we celebrate over here? How about reinstating some confidence in our education system? What about looking after our own agriculture and moribund manufacturing industry? And stop pandering to Bush's every whim? Initiatives like that might actually instill a real sense of national pride.

Holly, Birmingham, UK

Morissey's "Irish Blood, English Heart" would make a nice anthem. :o)

mrak, London, UK

What use is an oath? You promise a referendum, you don't hold one. Why are other people supposed to keep their promises?

John Ledbury, Kings Lynn, England

The Queen has taken an oath to 'maintain the Laws of God and
the true profession of the Gospel' to the utmost of her power. This she has signally failed to do which is why I do not feel it would be appropriate to take an oath of allegiance to her.

Andrew Chapman, Newcastle upon Tyne, England

As an American mongrel, I am finding this discussion very interesting.

My husband is of 1/64 Scots ancestry. I tease him all the time about how he acts like he just got off the boat from Edinburgh. He ignores me. He wants to find out which clan he belongs to.

Meanwhile, I, part Swede, Breton, French-Canadian, Cree, Ojibwe, and possibly German, and my daughter, who is all of the above plus Welsh, Irish, Scots, Huron and Chinese, welcome the rest of you mongrels.

Jeanne Horn, Duluth, MN USA

After growing in London I went to Australia for a year and was struck by the display of flags and 'Australiana' everywhere. To me it was a sign in insecurity as a nation that it had to keep justifying its existence. Britain is a concept which fitted in well with Empire and less so with modern nationhood - but the people and economies of england and scotland are so interlinked both countries would lose out by a full sepearation. As for Wales, well we all need somewhere to buy a second home and if we cant fly these days where else ?

andrew anderson, rousse, bulgaria

I am a European and English and a republican. I object to the National Anthem being sung asking the Lord to save a middle class German family. The Union flag was hijacked years ago. What token do I have to swear allegiance to?

Marc, London,

Ivan, you don't seem to realise that England do not actually subsidise Scotland, the tax on Whiskey and the Oil industry actually means Scotland subsidise England!!!

British day is Nu-Labour's only choice really, as they cannot have an English day. Being English is not in fashion anymore and upsets too many people.

GM, Brisbane,

So there might be problems with the Welsh, Scots and NI, so implying that us English think were British and will go along with this idea, yet again the English the forgotten people!!!! Why should the people of England declare a faith in a state that constantly descriminates against the people of England

Barry (The Elder), London, England

Having pride in your country does not necessitate pledging allegiance. Yes, I think sometimes we're so busy trying to be accepting of other cultures that we forget to be accepting of our own, but frankly swearing allegiance seems to more like copying the US than anything else. We've never needed to pledge allegiance, and I don't see why we do now. There is no rational reason to suggest doing so will make British school-leavers more loyal to the country or feel more integrated into its society as far as I can see, and British law in general - historically and culturally, which is apparently what we're trying to encourage knowledge of - doesn't enforce certain behaviour because it's 'good', it merely prohibits behaviour because it's 'bad'. Not swearing allegiance to Queen and country does not, in my opinion, come under the heading of 'bad', it will not cause harm, and should therefore be left to personal choice. That's an integral part of 'Britishness'.

Gem, Leicester, England

Lets just get this over with and split the U.K. into 4. Its not what I want, but its better than watching Labour slowly pull the Union apart.

Adrian, aldershot, england

I fly a flag in my garden. It's the saltire of Scotland.

Scotland doesn't have a king and she doesn't have a queen.
How can there be a second Liz when the first one's never been.

Ron Macuistean, Isle of Tiree, Scotland

Our children and we are expected to give an oath of allegiance to a state whose political establishment, and particularly this current government, has betrayed us.

I am inclined to think, along the lines of William Godwin, that all oaths are a betrayal of our own intellect and freedom. With regard to Gordon Brown I would say that his form of patriotism merely demonstrates he is nothing but a scoundrel.

Lee, London,

It is reassuring to read that it is the Scottish Government that decides what goes on in Scotland's schools.

I do not see how the proposal to make school leavers swear an oath of allegiance to the Queen (origins: Saxe-Coburg-Gotha) would achieve much in terms of social harmony. I would not, however, actively oppose the measure being implemented in England.

Des, Edinburgh,

To have pride in a united Britain there first needs to be a united Britain and something to be seriously proud of. The mass emigration of skilled citizens suggest that yet again this government is getting the basics wrong. You don't need to be a conspiracy theorist to understand that this ploy has more to do with Brown the Scot running England whilst a Scottish parliament runs Scotland with greater tax funding than is provided for England.

Mike, Birmingham, UK

Could I just clarify - am I a "citizen" or a "subject" and do I get to vote on the answer, please?

Michael Taylor, Delhi, India

Three points:

This government has lost the plot. It is trying to sew back together the pieces of the UK out of desperation. I want an English parliament, but with the up most respect , the Scots in Westminster will never agree.

There will always be resistance to the monarchy. This land is soaked in blood of men who have fought to curb the power of the monarchy and give more voice to the people. For that I am grateful.

Many see English nationalism as a dangerous thing and it is suppressed by this government and the wider system. The Celtic nations have their strong identities. What about us English? Why do we not celebrate our Anglo-Saxon, Nordic, and Norman roots? British for me is a political-state identity. Not my ethnic background. I want being English more than just football matches. it is a crazy when we cannot fly our own flag because of this ridiculous PC culture we now live in. We need to reclaim our flag and sense of pride and live in peace with our good neighbours

Chris, London, England

Does he want to rerun the Reformation? A No Popery vow perhaps?

Paul Flynn, Sai Kung, Hong Kong

Edward from London- spot on.

Perhaps if we're looking up at the Flag we'll forget the fact his 10 year reign as Chancellor "Prudence" is quickly unravelling as the economy nosedives...

Tom, Bath,

Not so much a comment on the article, more an appraisal of attitudes and lack of awareness, knowledge and understanding of what is 'real' in the here and now. There are definites alongside non-descripts which regards to this issue. Wholistically it is easier to identify oneself as being a member of a smaller community whereby local issues are more pertinent than the sometimes fickle nature of national concerns.

David Sharp, Haddington, Scotland

The problem with this proposal is that most people in the United Kingdoms identify themselves as English,Northern Irish, Scottish or Welsh. Asking people to swear an oath of allegiance to the status quo is not going to work. Most people in the UK want constitutional change. Most Scots would recognize the declaration of Arbroath as the oath they would most like to use.

For as long as but a hundred of us remain alive, never will we on any conditions be brought under English rule. It is not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom — for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself.

From The Declaration of Arbroath 1320

Callum Roxburgh, Jakarta, Indonesia

A salient characteristic of the UK has been the supremacy of the individual over the state. Long may this remain so. Maybe younger countries need to fabricate a bogus unity. But the contributary individual characteristics of the English, Irish, Scots and Welsh (in alphabetical order) resulted in a Union that created the greatest empire of the modern world with no need for declaring allegiance to the state.

Ross Connell, Guildford, UK

Having worked in many countries , I note that due to political correctness, the show of patriotism is frowned upon in this country. Theer is also a need to ensure tat patriotism is not construed as xenophobia. The easiest way would be to bring back school assemblies, discipline and pride. This would then translate into patriotism.

Hamad Lone, London, England

We have to clean up the mess first. Get rid of slum housing, poor schools, low literate standards a broken health care system and care for our senior citizens. Then we can start bring the troops home from "fighting" American wars, stop Prime Minister from cow-towing to the US get good paying jobs for our workers and get rid of the Royal hangers-on and keep the trains running on time and then, only then will it be valid to say "I'm British".

Esther Murdoch, Giffnock nr Glasgow, Scotland

I think this is a rediculous over reaction by Scotland, Wales and N. Ireland Nationalist MPs.

There has long been a United Kingdom of Great Britain, of which the Queen is head, a United Kingdom Flag and above all a free movement of FUNDS from England to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

I think it is time that everyone was proud and saw the great benefits of having a United Kingdom has for everyone who lives here.

Liam, Loughborough, Leicestershire

Great. More hoopla for White Anglo-Saxon Protestants. What about White Celtic Catholics? Don't we get some recognition?

Stephen, Bellingham, Washington, USA

David A oif Adelaide has it exactly right.

Having long debated the pros and cons of what's happening, and has happened to the UK (and particularly to us the English!) over the last few years, and having considered emigrating to Australia I am now absolutely convinced this is the right thing to do. The UK has now "had it" and is past the point of no return.

maria, Stamford, Lincs UK

Alex Salmond should be reminded that Scotland is not a particular popular destination for immigrants. So why should he care? Oh yeah - of course: political capital.

tim, Auckland, New Zealand

How the EU must be chuckling as the UK, after 300 years, unravels thanks greatly to the ill-conceived devolution referendums delivered by the party of Britishness that still failed to celebrate the Treaty of Union last year.

Never mind: Westminster's supremacy has gone and Project Europe will one day be achieved and the State of Europe will arise. Citizens across Europe will then be able to swear an oath to their new country, flag and president - keeping these emblems out of the Lisbon Treaty was a temporary wheeze: they can be introduced at a future date - and woe betide anyone who expresses criticism, which will be interpreted as euro-xenophobia.

wilson, London, UK

Britishness; does this mean I am no longer English? i think that for most of middle England, that we are no longer in fashion or allowed to mention our anglo saxon or norman roots. I daresy that on this British day that it would be considered to be devisive or to right wing if we mentioned Englishness.

Julian, Southampton,

what about the trafalgar celebrations? the british success at trafalgar was downplayed in favour of international unity, and letting the french and spanish come, and letting the french have the biggest ship... or in the "trafalgar" reenactment, it was red and blue sides, not british vs french... patriotism stems from pride in heritage and history... you cant neglect the history and feel proud of the present.... its simply obtuse. teach the children why being british is a wonderful thing...

jason, lake jackson, texas

Pride and a sense of national identity are important. Just ask the Aussies and the Kiwis who are proud to fly their flag. Here are some of the issues: UK schools fail to encourage or develop a sense of national identity or explain what the union is. History lessons ignore UK history and schools spend time worrying about non-english speakers and celebrating non Christian faiths. The UK has an immigration policy which lets in anyone and then fails to encourage a proper commitment to the principles and values of the majority. Oh and devolution has paralysed any sense of "Britishness" and strangely left the English wondering who they are. I therefore take a strange pride in my new country given my 6 year old son, born in the UK and with only one year in an Aussie school knows the Australian anthem, has an Australian flag on his wall, knows more about Australian history and the origin of it's flag than he does about the Union flag and now calls himself an Aussie. You Pom's!!

David A, Adelaide, Australia

Citizenship is having trust , faith and working within in the system of government, the laws, with community leaders, political leaders. In that combined they will produced a safe secure and prosperous country for you and your family. Patriots not only believe but are prepared to defend that system. Symbols of that are the in Britain the monarchy, Parliament, the church the flag, the armed forces.
Questions which of these can be said are run with the true interest of British tradition, culture, values or way of life? Most are now dominated by first and second generation immigrants tied firmly in the culture from whence they came.
Remember the English raised the Magna Carta to control the monarchy, and later beheaded a king. If you must swear allegiance do it to the country which is the constant though all of the whims, fashions, and fickle political manipulations.
It may be time for Scotland and Wales to follow the UDI route, it worked for Israel, Rhodesia, and Kosovo.

Alexander, Victoria,

J Cline I agree with you.At the end of the day,The Queen is the head of State ,happy or not...I think this is a good idea,just to remind everybody in which country they are and that as a nation and culture this is the Queen who is in charges(if only she was)...
Instead of arguing about Scotland,Wales and England,it would be wise to save your country first from soft invasion!

Nathalie, London, Uk

What will happen to those who refuse to take this ridiculous oath?

Nick , Brisbane, Australia

I see that some Scots are being the old pagan "highland way" in their stubborness. If Scotland ever went back to being its own land... it would return to being a 3rd world country. Perhaps they eat too much haggis for their own clear thinking.

G. Gibson, Sydney, Australia

Doesn't Brown have more pressing issues to address such as a a crumbling economy, unchecked immigration, a brain drain, soaring violent crime, lack of integrity from MP's, a failing health service, dubious wars. I could go on but it highlights the fact that this government lacks substance and an understanding of the real issues facing the UK. If Brown wants to restore pride in Britain he will need more than some kids mumbling homage to the queen every morning. Nero fiddled whilst Rome burned.

Edward, London,

You cant force people to feel patriotic. This is an idiotic attempt to copy countries where the very fact that they are relatively young led them to introduce allegiance ceremonies as a symbol. Britain doing this now is faintly ridiculous., and of course there is no evidence that simply uttering an oath is any indicator or future behaviour. If it was then the US would have far less crime.

James McVeigh, Brighton, Sussex

Broon is trying to save his political life in England.
If he is so keen on Britishness where was the celebrations for the 300th anniversary of the Union of the Crowns?? Last year 2007 had no celebrations, no press, no public holiday.
As a British Scot, living in Australia I love Australia Day and flying the flag - something that does not happen in Britain.
Australia is a stronger, happier, self confident place as a result.

Cameron, Sydney, Australia

Mr. Brown should get a snazy uniform, complete with a chest full of medals, al a Idi Amin. Then England can officially become a third world country.

Denis Schizas, Montreal, Canada

In Scotland they see themselves as Scottish, In Wales as Welsh, and in Northern Ireland as Irish.

I see myself as and Englishman, NOT British.
I never right down my nationality as British, for I am English.
As I imagine the 3 countries above do the same for there nationality.

So lets have a day to celebrate our own separate countries, oh we already do don't we and I believe next Monday is St Patrick's day (have a good one lads)

I take my hat off to the Scots, the Welsh and the Irish. they certainly wont forget there roots, Yet us English! come on lets get patriotic about being English for a change.

Steve, Birmingham, England

Great work from the New Labour project.

Desperately trying to glue back together the Union and the people in it, after 40 years of multiculturalism and a programme of devolution.

I think that the real legacy of Scottish devolution - and Labour's loss of its Scottish political base - will be that Labour will find it difficult to ever form a national government again.

J H Holloway, London,

No one, anywhere, in a free society, needs to bow and pay homage to another.

Kenny Jones, Runcorn and Hong Kong, uk and China

It is sad to see that the government in essence is acknowleding that British identity is failing. There is a tangible Nationalistic shift in the identity of the all the Kingdoms in Britain and I believe that each nation will have indipendence within 20 years. Sotland will lead and the others will then follow. The ideal of Britishness failed after the collapse of the Empire, leaving a vaccum, which has been filled by the nationalist movements. This sepratism is in effect being reinforced by the media, who by highlighting any social or monetary differences where England is worse off, piques the Celtic Nations pride, who resent the idea that they are welfare states. This is particularly true after centuries of exploitation. The truth is of course european funding would allow for significnat infrastructural and industrial development for Wales, Sotland and N.Irleland, along the lines of the Irish model.

Gareth Jenkins, Pwllheli, UK / Gwynedd

Face it: Great Britain is no longer great, and Britain is all but dissolved. Best to devolve entirely to England, Scotland, Wales, and wherever you plan to put the future Muslim state. Whatever there was of "Britishness" has been drowned under Enoch Powell's brown tide.

J Cline, London,

While we're at it, let's give the Scots full devolution.
It's about time they learned to live on their own taxes and not rely on the rest of Britain subsidising their spending.

Ivan, Dorset, UK

Superficial allegiance may be created by a forced ritual but it cannot be genuine. It should be something that is incubated naturally.

Hiromi Ishida, Tokyo, Japan

Interesting the suggestion of Australia Day as a model for Britannia Day. Many critics down here, some genuine, others the usual suspects from the collectives of cultural self-loathers and the herd-thinkers in what now pass for academia, hate Australia Day, calling it 'Invasion' day, or diss it as simply a Sydney thing. Yet, to the grief and annoyance of Clever People, Australia Day has, as has our "foreign" flag and the first day of our participation in an "imperialistic" war on 25 April 1915, gained far wider public endorsement and enthusiasm. Make of that what you will.

Leonard Colquhoun, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia