Citizens’ Rights

Abstract

As soon as the exam season is over, the summer holidays begin, and thoughts may turn to foreign travel. For that a passport is needed, as evidence of the holder’s British (or other) citizenship and right to return to the UK from abroad. A British citizen is entitled to live, move and work freely within the territories known as ‘Great Britain and Northern Ireland’ and to enjoy the benefits of ‘membership’ of the British state. These include the right to vote, to join political parties and other political organisations, to stand for election, to equality before the law, to freedom of speech and from wrongful imprisonment within Britain.