When you swear or affirm the Oath of Allegiance at your citizenship ceremony, you also pledge to "uphold the United Kingdom's democratic values". Those values are listed in the official handbook and they are tested directly in the exam. This article unpacks each one.
Democracy
Democracy means that government is chosen by the people. In the UK that is done through general elections held at least every five years, in which all British, qualifying Commonwealth and Republic of Ireland citizens aged 18 and over may vote. Democracy at a local level includes councillors, mayors and Police and Crime Commissioners.
The rule of law
The rule of law means that the same laws apply to everyone — including the government, the police and the monarch. No one is above the law. Judges are independent of politicians, and Parliament cannot dismiss a judge for an unwelcome ruling. The Magna Carta of 1215 is often described as the first English document to assert the rule of law.
Further reading: a related editorial guide on this topic opens in a new window for additional context.
Individual liberty
Individual liberty is the freedom to live your life as you choose, within the law. It includes freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom of religion and the freedom to engage in any lawful work or trade. These freedoms are protected by the Human Rights Act 1998, which incorporates the European Convention on Human Rights into UK law.
Mutual respect and tolerance
The handbook treats mutual respect and tolerance as one combined value: respecting the rights of those with different faiths, beliefs and ways of life. The Equality Act 2010 makes it unlawful to discriminate against someone on the basis of nine "protected characteristics" including age, disability, race, religion, sex and sexual orientation.
Why these values matter for the test
Many test questions are not about facts but about which behaviours are consistent with British values. Questions such as "which of the following is a fundamental principle of British life?" or "which of these is an example of how citizens can take part in their community?" test the same content from different angles. Read the values list slowly and make sure you can list all five from memory.
Keep going
- Read the full study notes for Values & Principles.
- Try a practice test on this chapter.
- Sit a full 24-question timed mock.
- Browse our complete topic explainer library.