School-leavers should be encouraged to swear an oath of allegiance to Queen and country, says a report commissioned by Gordon Brown on British citizenship.
Report author, ex-attorney general Lord Goldsmith, says it would give teenagers a sense of belonging.
Council tax and student fee rebates are suggested for people who volunteer - as well as a "Britishness" public holiday.
The PM's spokesman said he welcomed the "interesting" review, adding that it had sparked "quite a lively debate".
However, John Dunford from the Association of School and College leaders said the citizenship ceremony was "a half-baked idea".
Graduation ceremonies
A Scottish Government spokesman said it did not support the plan and did not believe it would find favour with parents or school pupils.
Welsh Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones said: "I don't think that's appropriate myself."
And Labour peer Baroness Kennedy said: "I think this is a serious mistake - I think it's puerile and I think it's rather silly.
CITIZENSHIP - KEY POINTS
Citizenship ceremonies for all young people - with possible inclusion of oath of allegiance to Queen
A British national day by 2012, linked to Olympics and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee
Scrapping or reforming ancient laws of Treason
Tuition fee and council tax rebates for volunteers
'Language loans' for newcomers to help them learn English
"The symbols of a healthy democracy are not to be found in empty gestures and I'm afraid I see this as an empty gesture."
Lord Goldsmith, who quit government in June, believes that citizenship ceremonies for teenagers would help improve their sense of what it means to be a British citizen.
"Certainly there isn't a crisis of national identity, but the research does tend to show there's been a diminution in national pride, in this sense of belonging," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
"The citizenship ceremonies, which are just one of the many things I have suggested, are a way of marking that passage of being a student of citizenship to a citizen in practice.
"It does make sense to promote a sense of shared belonging, a sense that you are part of a community with a common venture, to integrate better newcomers to our society and be clearer about what the rights and responsibilities are."
Lord Goldsmith said that while he favours an oath of allegiance to the Queen, the statement could be a pledge of commitment to the country or a statement of what the rights and responsibilities of citizens are.
He also stressed that he could not see why Republicans would not want to swear an oath, even though they may not believe in the present system of government.
However, Graham Smith of the group Republic, which campaigns for the abolition of the monarchy, questioned whether children who refuse to take part will be told "they are somehow less British or less loyal or less patriotic".
Shadow justice secretary Nick Herbert said people would see straight through "synthetic patriotism" and that it was "profoundly un-British" to make them swear oaths of allegiance.
Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg said taking an active role in society was a better way of creating a sense of belonging for teenagers than asking people to swear allegiance.
Bank holiday
Citizenship ceremonies already exist for immigrants and the report suggests holding them in schools, where youngsters who are about to leave the school and move on to work or further education could participate.
Lord Goldsmith says a new British national day should be established by 2012 to coincide with the Olympics and what will be the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
It could operate in the same way as Australia Day, which is a public holiday on 26 January and is used to celebrate what it means to be an Australian.
And young people who volunteer could receive a reduction in tuition fees, while others who work in the community could be given a small council tax rebate.
A new "Deliberation Day" would be held before each General Election to encourage political debate and other events.
The peer also proposed that ministers should consider withdrawing Commonwealth and Irish citizens' right to vote in UK elections.
But campaign group Unlock Democracy described this as a "gross insult to expect soldiers to die for this country while removing their right to have a say".
Lord Goldsmith has called for Britain's old treason laws to be scrapped or reformed. At the moment they include sleeping with the wife of the heir to the throne, which is punishable by life in prison.
The peer has also hinted at updating the national anthem by removing verses which are rarely performed.
easy choice in our eyes
By Sky News SkyNews - 2 hours 13 minutes ago
The Scottish Nationalist Party has fixed its sights on the English border town of Berwick upon Tweed as its next battleground with England.
Christine Grahame, MSP for southern Scotland, has "invited" the people of Berwick to "come back into the fold" and swap their allegiance from England to Scotland.
Historically, the town has been a battleground between England and Scotland for centuries.
It has changed hands between the two nations no less than 13 times and was last won by the English in 1482.
But in a poll, organised by local newspaper the Berwick Advertiser, 77% of all those who voted said they would like to be governed by Scotland once more.
Keith Hamblin, deputy editor, said: "I was surprised by the result. I am a Berwick man born and bred and I regard myself very much as English.
"I think, though, that people feel the quality of life is better in Scotland since devolution.
"Also, we are losing our borough council next year. It's being replaced by a new unitary authority, so all our administration wil be run 60 miles away further south.
"So people feel they're going to be left out even further on the frozen north."
The town already has Scottish loyalties when it comes to football.
Its team, Berwick Rangers FC, has played in the Scottish league for years.
Ms Grahame hopes the rest of the town will also become fans of the idea of being Scottish.
How a Welsh king put the English to flight
At the unveiling of the plaque to remember the Battle of Ewloe in 1157, Mike Roberts came along dressed in the uniform of the day.
Feature writer Sue Smart visits the site of "The Battle of Ewloe" to learn about its historical significance and see it commemorated for the first time by a special plaque.
THE young soldier crouches in the undergrowth, not daring to move a muscle. As he waits for the enemy, with a racing heart, his eyes are drawn to movement overhead. With an eerie chill, he sees three buzzards silently circling in ever-decreasing circles.
Moments later, he senses the vibrations in the earth and hears the not-so-distant march of armoured soldiers from the English army. They have just entered the heavily wooded valley, along the track which is popular with the many bandits who pass through. The young soldier does not know it yet, but the enemy are led by King Edward II himself. With the king are 200 of his finest soldiers. Hiding in the woods, waiting for their orders are 200 Welsh warriors.
Local amateur historian, Steve Griffiths from Hawarden, gives his version of what happened in Ewloe woods on that warm July day in 1157, which history calls "The Battle of Ewloe". Steve says King Henry II had brought an army of 30,000 to invade Wales. Owain Gwynedd, who was known as Lord of Snowdon, Prince of Gwynedd and the King of North Wales, feared the mass killing of his own people, so he led an army of 3,000 Welshmen to fight the English.
Steve says: "Twelve miles from Saltney, Gwynedd made camp at Basingwerk. He then despatched a strong force led by his two sons, Dafydd and Cynan, to Ewloe Wood. Here they waited. As King Henry advanced towards Basingwerk, he split his force and then personally led a 200-strong detachment through Ewloe wood."
At the time, the wood was dense with tightly-packed evergreens and firs. The crystal clear water of Wepre Brook, which still runs through the valley, had trout and carp, and wild boar and stags roamed the forest.
When the English soldiers marched into Ewloe wood, the order rang out and the Welsh poured down the slopes and attacked them. Legend has it the Welsh army had dammed the brook further downstream so when the English tried to escape across the water, it was too deep and many drowned. Arrows, swords, spears and axes were used in the battle, says Steve, which the Welsh clearly won. King Henry II only just managed to escape the slaughter.
At the time of the Battle of Ewloe, the power of King Henry II was incredible, says Steve. "His empire stretched from the Arctic Ocean to the Pyrenees." King Henry II was the grandson of William the Conqueror and the father of Richard the Lionheart.
Dressed in a hand-stitched replica uniform of a Welsh soldier of about 1157, Mike Roberts, chairman and founding member of the historic re-enactment group Samhain says the Battle of Ewloe was significant. Mike says Owain Gwynedd sent some of his best soldiers to Ewloe woods in case the English army passed through. "They came face-to-face with the English army and trounced them. It was such a bad defeat for the English."
Discussions between history enthusiast Steve Griffiths and John Richards, head of Countryside Services for Flintshire County Council, about commemorating the Battle of Ewloe have resulted in a plaque being placed at the scene of the battle.
The plaque, which is embedded in a large piece of sandstone dating back before the battle, was unveiled at a ceremony last week by Carl Sargean, the Welsh Assembly member for Alyn and Deeside. Mr Sargeant says: "It's a great day in terms of the recognition of history in Flintshire and it's for people who take a walk through Wepre Park. It's another piece of unknown history that people will be able to relate to now." He says he used to play in these woods and he had no idea so many people had fought here.
Steve Griffiths says this is the first battle site in Flintshire commemorated by a plaque, but he hopes it will be the first of many. He gives his thanks to Flintshire Council Countryside Service which paid for the plaque, and everybody else involved in the commemoration.
Flintshire Council senior ranger Tom Woodall says: "We are happy to support a local historian who is interested in the park and taking an interest in its historical context. To find the plaque, come to Wepre Park Visitors Centre, pick up a Wepre Park map and ask the very friendly staff how best to get there. It's a 20-minute walk from the visitors centre."
Holywell councillor Gareth Roberts, who attended the unveiling, says: "It's a very important commemoration because it's surprising how little we know about our own history and certainly we have got something here to be really proud of."
Eight musicians from the Mold-based Cambria Band kicked off the ceremony by playing on the hill beside the crumbling ruins of Ewloe Castle. Making their way down the muddy path towards the scene of the battle, the sound of beating drums echoed through the wood.
Labour Pr**k Ian Lucas should f**k off back over the border with his stupid plans
Instead of taking Wales forward he wants us eternaly tied to the union, an example of this fantasy of his hit the news this week
The Trust says money from the development will safeguard the hall
Campaigners have staged a protest at plans to build 223 new homes built on part of a rural estate.
The National Trust, which owns Erddig estate and 18th Century country house in Wrexham, has said most local people were in favour of the development.
But a residents' committee at nearby Rhostyllen and Welsh language pressure group, Cymuned, object to the plans.
About 20 protestors gathered in Halloween costumes and waved banners outside the trust's Llandudno office.
The trust has said the project would raise money towards the upkeep of Erddig, and would include affordable homes.
The National Trust strongly recognises the importance of ensuring that every development is sympathetic
National Trust statement
Cymuned spokeswoman Carrie Harper said: "It is simply not true that a majority of local people are in favour of this proposed development.
"The trust's claim that the money is needed to secure the future of Erddig is also very misleading.
"By their own admission, the running costs of the estate are met by admission fees and no work actually needs doing at the hall.
"This organisation has some very difficult questions to answer."
Tara Green, secretary of the Rhostyllen Residents Committee, said "The National Trust has an investment fund of nearly £900m, yet they expect our small community to put up with a large, intrusive development, as they claim they need the extra money.
There are fears the area's identity will be lost if the plans go ahead
"How many charities have £900m in the bank? Their so-called justification for this development baffles me completely."
Campaigners claim the development could cause increased traffic, environmental damage, pressure on services and loss of local identity.
In a statement on Wednesday, the National Trust said the new development was backed by local people, and 25% of the development would be affordable homes to buy or rent.
It said Erddig had struggled to break even in recent years and had insufficient funds to maintain the ongoing repairs and preservation needed.
It also claimed the development would result in a nearby main road becoming safer, with a speed limit dropping from 40mph to 30mph.
The statement added: "The National Trust strongly recognises the importance of ensuring that every development is sympathetic, of a high standard and meets local needs.
"This is why the trust made a major commitment to oversee the plans and strive to achieve a sustainable community with an exemplar in layout, design and integration with the village."
threat against charlie
JASON.EVANS@SWWMEDIA.CO.UK
09:00 - 23 August 2007
Radical Welsh republicans have issued threats to Prince Charles, warning him to leave his Carmarthenshire farmhouse by December or face the consequences.A group calling itself the "Army Council" of the Welsh Republican Army (WRA) said if he does not leave he will become a "legitimate target" for action.
It has also called on the Prince of Wales to relinquish his title. In a statement, a spokesman for group made the threats.
Balchder Cymru statement - We have nothing to do with this threat, everything we do is up front and we hide behind nothing and no one! any association with us is due to the fact that we ourselves DO NOT RECOGNISE charlie as our prince
Go F**k yourselves its not just the Scotts that arent Brit lovers!
Flag plan will have Scots opt-out
The union flag is currently flown only on certain specified days
Proposals to fly the Union flag every day on government buildings are set not to apply to Scottish Executive sites.
The government published the plans last week and they follow Gordon Brown raising the issue of celebrating Britishness in January.
The SNP said Justice Secretary Jack Straw assured the policy would not cover executive buildings.
However, UK Government properties in Scotland will fly the Union flag under the current proposals.
SNP leader Alex Salmond, now first minister, previously said Britishness "went bust long ago" in Scotland.
Royal birthdays
An SNP spokesman said Mr Straw's comments came when he visited Scotland earlier this month.
The spokesman said: "Jack Straw agreed there are different considerations in Scotland than there are in England.
"He agreed that the issue of flags is best left for us to decide. In Scotland, the Saltire will fly each day, although on 18 special days the union flag will be raised instead."
A consultation paper proposes giving government departments the freedom to fly the Union Jack every day, instead of just a few days a year such as royal birthdays.
People's views
Culture Secretary James Purnell said: "The Union flag is a powerful symbol of both our heritage and modern, diverse Britain. It brings us together in solidarity and shared identity.
"We want to hear people's views about whether government buildings should be allowed to fly it every day."
Also
SNP dismisses Brown's flag call
Scottish identity is on the rise, according to the SNP
Chancellor Gordon Brown has been accused of "waving the wrong flag at Scotland" after calling for Britain's national identity to be celebrated.
The Fife MP said Labour supporters should "embrace the Union flag" and reclaim it from the far right.
But Scottish National Party leader Alex Salmond said Britishness "went bust long ago" north of the border.
By David Cornock BBC Wales Parliamentary correspondent
Bailing out - Mr Blair on his last visit to Wales
As Ali G might have said, were he from Swansea and not Staines: "Is it 'cos we is Welsh?"
Tony Blair may have a Welsh stepmother (not a lot of people know that) but his relationship with the nation has been at times ambivalent during the last decade.
WE MUST OPPOSE PROJECTS LIKE THIS - Until there are housing laws that restrict incomers!, a self contained little england slap bang in the middle of Wales, the WDA have sold us down the river -again!
LLANDARCY URBAN VILLAGE PROJECT
< Visualisation of the Llandarcy proposal (BP D'arcy Development Ltd)
The Prince's Foundation and its partners have launched an ambitious scheme to create a new urban village at Llandarcy near Swansea.
Formally launched by Economic Development Minister Andrew Davies AM on 9 January, the £1.72bn project, on the site of the former Llandarcy crude oil refinery, is planned eventually to provide 2,500 jobs and 3,500 homes.
Scheme partners include BP, the Welsh Development Agency, Neath-Port Talbot council, and the Welsh Assembly Government, and the scheme is supported by the Prince's Foundation, which has developed an "urban village" at Poundbury near Dorchester, to demonstrate principles of mixed and sustainable development and good architecture and design. In size and scope, Llandarcy far outstrips previous urban village projects; but although it may take 25 years to complete, the first 100 homes should be completed this year.
WELSH objections to nuclear power were swept aside last night as the Government paved the way for a new generation of reactors.
Despite objections from Welsh Secretary Peter Hain and First Minister Rhodri Morgan, the Government's long-awaited energy review said new reactors were needed to cut emissions and meet energy needs.
And, unlike in Scotland, the Assembly will have no power to veto planning permission for new nuclear sites.
Mr Brunstrom said his learning Welsh was 'personal leadership'
North Wales Police recruits will have to take a Welsh language test from next month, its chief constable has said.
Writing in his online web diary, Richard Brunstrom said new officers face a "simple" Welsh test before they join and a more difficult one during their first couple of years
The front line of the battle to save village schools
Jun 15 2006
Staff Reporter, Western Mail
Despite a major campaign to support the village schools of Wales, Carmarthenshire County Council has already closed one and is poised to take a decision on three others, writes Cymdeithas yr Iaith's Education spokespersonFfred Ffransis
WELSH council officials are watching educational developments in Carmarthenshire with interest. This is truly the front line in the battle for village schools
Water resources review needed to tackle shortage crisis -
/noticias.info/ The Liberal Democrats are calling for a comprehensive review into Government failures to deliver a sustainable water resources strategy ahead of tomorrow's meeting between the Environment Secretary David Miliband and representatives of Ofwat to discuss water shortages.
Citizenship ceremony 
In pictures
Is it really un-British to celebrate Britishness? 
give him some stick-visit his site 
< Visualisation of the Llandarcy proposal (BP D'arcy Development Ltd)
Poundbury near Dorchester, to demonstrate principles of mixed and sustainable development and good architecture and design. In size and scope, Llandarcy far outstrips previous urban village projects; but although it may take 25 years to complete, the first 100 homes should be completed this year.
