Citizenship test must focus on British values, says Javid
PEOPLE seeking UK citizenship must pass a “British values test”, Sajid Javid said, as he criticised the existing “pub quiz” examination.
The Home Secretary stressed his belief that immigration has been good for Britain.
He added “newcomers” should be expected to live by “British values” and said the existing “Life in the UK” test is “not enough”, noting it is far more important for people to understand what binds society together, rather than the name of Henry VIII’s sixth wife.
Shadow home secretary Diane Abbott said it was not clear the announcement was any improvement on Theresa May’s previous test, established in 2015, or Conservative former minister Norman Tebbit’s “cricket test”.
Mr Javid also outlined moves to strip dual citizens of their British citizenship if they are convicted of “grave” criminal offences, such as those involved in gang-based child sexual exploitation.
And he accused Jeremy Corbyn of being a “threat to our national security” during an attack on the Labour leader.
Mr Javid’s remarks came in a speech containing several references about his upbringing and vision for the country, in what could be viewed as a pitch to members about his credentials as a future leadership contender.
Speaking at the Party conference in Birmingham, Mr Javid said: “We welcome newcomers. In turn, we expect them to live by our British values. And it is only right that we make it clear to all new citizens what we are for, and what we are against.
“Citizenship should mean more than being able to win a pub quiz.”