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steepholmAm I a citizen? Of Bristol, evidently yes. But of the United Kingdom? I'm not sure. I always understood that there was a distinction between subjects (of monarchs, however politically toothless) and citizens. As the UK is not yet a republic, presumably I am, pro tem, a subject and not a citizen.
And yet, my passport refers to British citizens. People take citizenship tests and become (at least in popular usage) UK citizens. Children take lessons in citizenship at school - whatever that means. Are these loose expressions, or is it possible to be a citizen of the UK and a subject of the queen at one and the same time? Is it possible to be the former but not the latter? Is there a way I can opt out of being a subject (I sure as hell didn't opt in)?
On the other hand, isn't there something strangely appealing about the idea of seeing children take mandatory lessons in Subjection?
And yet, my passport refers to British citizens. People take citizenship tests and become (at least in popular usage) UK citizens. Children take lessons in citizenship at school - whatever that means. Are these loose expressions, or is it possible to be a citizen of the UK and a subject of the queen at one and the same time? Is it possible to be the former but not the latter? Is there a way I can opt out of being a subject (I sure as hell didn't opt in)?
On the other hand, isn't there something strangely appealing about the idea of seeing children take mandatory lessons in Subjection?