UK Citizenship: History

Lord Jones of Cheltenham Excerpts

Wednesday 14th April 2021 Lords Chamber

[Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay (Con)]

I certainly agree with the right reverend Prelate that a confident country engages with its history in all its complexities, including those parts which might be uncomfortable to recall today. I do not fully agree with the way that he characterises the current text. I do not think it gives a misrepresented view of history; it includes some of the darker moments of our history as well. In the three editions of this document, historians have made their views well-known and long may they continue to do so.

[Lord Jones of Cheltenham (LD) [V]]

Will the rewriting delete references to ancient battles which caused the deaths of so many innocent people and kings like Henry VIII, who is not an example of how a person should behave if they want to live in the United Kingdom?

[Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay (Con)]

I think it is important that we understand history, and monarchs such as Henry VIII were hugely consequential, not least in the establishment of the Church of England. It is important that we know all of these things.