The five fundamental principles of British life lead to a set of responsibilities and freedoms that are shared by everyone who lives in the UK. Whether you are a citizen or not, you are expected to respect them. There are two lists. One says what you should do if you want to become a permanent resident or citizen. The other says what the UK gives you in return.
Five on each side, so you can learn them as a pair. You obey the law, respect other people, treat people fairly, and look after your family and your surroundings. In return, the UK protects your beliefs, your free speech, fair treatment, a fair trial and your vote.The Royal Courts of Justice on the Strand in London. The High Court and the Court of Appeal of England and Wales sit here. The right to a fair trial is one of the protections the UK gives to every resident.
Photo: R Sones / Geograph, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia CommonsA polling station sign on election day. This is where your right to help choose the government becomes real.
Photo: Matt Brown, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia CommonsThe Reformers' Tree mosaic in Hyde Park. In the 19th century, people campaigning for the right to vote often met under this tree. That helped make Hyde Park a place for free speech, and Speakers' Corner is in the same park. According to The Royal Parks, a law of 1872 set out the right to meet and speak freely in Hyde Park. To this day anyone can turn up at Speakers' Corner without permission and speak on any subject, as long as what they say is legal, which is for the police to judge. Between 1906 and 1914 the suffragettes often held rallies here too.
Photo: August Schwerdfeger, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Quiz
Which TWO of these are freedoms or rights that the UK offers to its residents?
The UK offers five things: freedom of religion and belief, freedom of speech, freedom from unfair discrimination, the right to a fair trial, and the right to take part in electing a government. Free housing and not paying income tax are not on the list.
Quiz
Which of the following statements is correct?
Taking care of the area where you live and the environment is one of the five responsibilities. A is wrong: you are expected to respect other people's rights, including their right to have their own opinions, whether they agree with you or not.
Quiz
Which TWO of these are responsibilities expected of anyone who wants to live in the UK permanently or become a citizen?
The five responsibilities are: obey the law, respect other people's rights, treat others fairly, look after yourself and your family, and look after your area and the environment. B is wrong because worship is your own choice: freedom of belief and religion is one of the things the UK offers you. C is wrong because taking part in electing a government is listed as a right you have, not a duty.
