An historical introduction to the varieties of citizenship in Britain, starting in the Middle Ages and bringing the story right up to the present day. Both the status and understanding of citizenship in practice and the theoretical and advisory writings on the subject are introduced, and their inter-relationships are explored. Organised chronologically, each chapter is divided into sections in order to present the reader with different themes in a manageable form. The focus throughout is on accessibility, with no previous knowledge of the subject being assumed.

From Syrian asylum seekers to super-rich foreign investors, immigration is one of the most controversial issues facing Britain today. Politicians kick the subject from one election to the next with energetic but ineffectual promises to 'crack down', while newspaper editors plaster it across front pages. But few know the truth behind the headlines; indeed, the almost daily changes to our complex immigration laws pile up so quickly that even the officials in charge struggle to keep up. In this clear, concise guide, Thom Brooks, one of the UK's leading experts on British citizenship - and a newly initiated British citizen himself - deftly navigates the perennially thorny path, exploding myths and exposing absurdities along the way. Ranging from how to test for 'Britishness' to how to tackle EU 'free movement', Becoming British explores how UK immigration really works - and sparks a long-overdue debate about how it should work. Combining expert analysis with a blistering critique of the failings of successive governments, this is the definitive guide to one of the most hotly disputed issues in the UK today. Wherever you stand on the immigration debate, Brooks's wryly observed account is the essential road map.

Unlike many nations Britain had not developed a national citizenship by the 20th century. Instead belonging in Britain was merely a function of allegiance to the Crown. This lack of definition was seen as beneficial. This title explores the implications of such vagueness as a new millennium begins.

Nationality law in Britain is liberal and expansive in making it possible for immigrants to become citizens. Nonetheless, long-term residents, who are educated and possess skills that are important for the British economy, still face significant barriers to citizenship. This book offers insights into the experiences of long-term residents who have successfully become British citizens, through their own stories and newly commissioned illustrations of the journey of immigration. The goal is to explain the gap between formal law and law in practice, but the focus of the book is not solely on barriers--Devyani Prabhat also explores the feelings of belonging and empowerment that people experience during the citizenship journey.

This book examines how ideas of citizenship and subjecthood were applied in societies under British and French imperial rule in order to expand our understanding of these concepts.

When someone who is an immigrant to Britain wants to obtain UK Citizenship, after at least five years in the country, they have to jump through all sorts of hoops, including sassing an English test, as well as passing a test of multiple-choice questions, based on an official Home Office handbook called Life in the UK. Unless you have studied and memorised that book, you would probably fail, even if you're British born and bred. In a recent poll, 51% of British 18-24 year olds failed to reach the 75% pass level. Sample questions: - Do you know how many members of the Welsh Assembly there are? - How many jury members in a Sheriff Court? - The contents of the 1689 Bill of Rights? - What the central shopping area of most towns is called? (Yes, really ) - Who is/was Richard Arkwright, Sake Dean Mahomet, John Petts, or David Weir? With Brexit and all the talk of sovereignty, the question of what it really means to be British has never been more important, so here is your chance to see how you measure up to what your country (or at least, some Whitehall civil servants) expects you to know. So here are 500 sample questions based on the Life in the UK book, to test yourself, or to play as a quiz with family or friends. The answers will inform, surprise and above all, make you laugh

This book explains the immigration and citizenship policies in Britain that repeatedly postponed the creation of British citizenship until 1981.