London, 03 Aug-(ANA)-People who want to become British citizens could speed it up by becoming active members of political parties and trade unions, under government plans.
Migrants would have to earn points for citizenship under the new system rather than getting an automatic right to apply for citizenship after five years.
They could also lose points for "bad behaviour" which it has been suggested could include anti-war demonstrations.
The opposition conservative party dismissed the plans as "pure spin".
Migrants who have worked in the UK for five years have had the automatic right to apply for a British passport, which, immigration minister Phil Woolas said was usually granted.
But in future, under the measures in the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act, migrants will have to spend five years as temporary residents, before becoming "probationary citizens".
They can then earn full citizenship by earning points - a process which is expected to take between a further one and five years.
A consultation document published today seeks views on how those points might be earned.
It suggests that volunteering and "civic activism" - such as being a school governor or "contributing to the democratic life of the country through trade union activities or canvassing for a political party" - could reduce the process from three years to one.
Refugees and spouses of migrants already in the UK will have their points assessed on "the basis of their continuing family relationship or protection needs".
But economic migrants would face a new points test, which would take into account the UK's economic needs. (ANA)
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