THE SNP conference will oppose the introduction of “Life in the UK-style” tests as the party seeks to adopt an an “inclusive” approach on Scottish citizenship under independence.
The controversial assessments were introduced under Tony Blair’s Labour government in 2005 and require applicants to answer questions about British history, culture and law based on information compiled by the Home Office.
Anyone wishing to become a UK citizen or permanent resident must pass the test, which costs £50.
But academics have argued the history element creates a “misleading and false” representation of slavery and empire, while Scots historian Professor Tom Devine has criticised the omission of the independence referendum in 2014 from preparation material for the tests.
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A resolution to the SNP conference this weekend on “Scottish citizenship for New Scots” calls for no such similar tests to be brought in in an independent Scotland, which it argues should take a more progressive stance on immigration.
“Conference believes Scotland should be as welcoming a nation as possible and value all of our people, including all those who chose to make Scotland their home. New Scots make invaluable contributions, and they are our fellow Scots, no matter where they were born,” it says.
“Conference rejects and condemns the hostile environment of the UK Home Office and xenophobic attitudes of the Tory Westminster government. Their policies have caused hardship and worry for many New Scots ... Conference further acknowledges that current UK paths to UK citizenship are based on unjust requirements, such as exorbitant fees, unreasonable lengths of residency and inappropriate and irrelevant tests.
“These requirements include passing the so-called ‘Life in the UK Test’, which does not reflect a fair approach, with many of the required answers being disputed and often not known by UK citizens themselves.”
It adds: “The criteria by which New Scots will be able to apply to naturalise as Scottish citizens after independence, based principally on residency criteria, including length of residency, but also family relationships such as spouse. Scottish Citizenship for New Scots shall not be based on passing a test similar to the current ‘Life in the UK Test’”.
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The motion has been lodged by the party’s Castle Douglas and Glenkens branch as well as the party’s immigration spokesman Stuart McDonald MP. It is is one of 21 resolutions appearing on the final agenda for the event, which takes place online from this Friday until Monday.
The motion says it endorses and seeks to build upon the approach outlined ahead of the 2014 referendum.
These proposals included:
- British citizens habitually resident in Scotland on independence will be considered Scottish citizens
- Scottish born British citizens living outside of Scotland on independence will also be considered Scottish citizens
- After independence children born in Scotland to at least one parent who has Scottish citizenship or indefinite leave to remain at the time of their birth will be automatically Scottish citizens
- Dual nationality will be recognised
It also calls for the party to develop a “strategic framework” on Scottish citizenship which should be “ready for implementation from day one of independence”.
The framework should not base citizenship on financial criteria, there should be no special routes based on a premium fee paid and that should not be different tiers of citizenship for people born in the EU, EEA or rest of the world. The motion backs exclusion criteria that would apply, such as for people convicted of serious criminal offences.
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