It's time to move on
Measurement affects us all
when we work, buy food,
fill up the car with petrol,
weigh ourselves, go for a medical check-up, buy a property, go out
for a drink, go for a walk or tend the garden. Modern Britain needs the best set
of measures available.
In 1668, the distinguished scientist and philosopher, Bishop John Wilkins, founder of the Royal Society, proposed a system of measurement which contained the essential features of metric. His "Standard" unit was almost exactly one metre and like the metre was to be used with decimal multiples and submultiples. He proposed decimal units of volume and weight similar to the modern litre and kilogram. However, it was in France that the first practical application of his ideas was implemented - leading to the modern metric system, properly known as the International System of Units.
Over 140 years ago, in 1862, a House of Commons Select Committee unanimously
recommended adoption of metric units for public administration. They were
not terrified of taking in newfangled measurements from the "old rival" - France
- but simply saw lots of advantages in having more modern units.
Although this was in the heyday
of the British Empire, it was known that Imperial units were anything but 'made
in Britain' being largely imported from the Romans, Saxons and the French. Indeed
British
Victorian
scientists enthusiastically embraced
metric units. These
scientists
came up with some important additions to the metric
system that we take for granted today - including mega- for one million, micro-
for one millionth.
Metric units are used in most
countries of the world because they are so practical. They are decimal, the different
units fit together
properly
and metric calculations are
really easy.
Metric units are not just for engineers and scientists but for architects,
cooks,
DIYers, gardeners,
nurses
and
mountaineers.
In 1971 the UK very successfully adopted
decimal currency
throwing aside the Roman-style 'old money'. In 1965 it was decided also to replace
Roman - style measures with metric and since then Britain has adopted metric in
many walks of life. The vast majority of manufacturing is metric, letters and parcels
are weighed in grams, health records are metric, children learn metric at
school, film sizes are metric and our maps are
created using metric. Ultimately a complete conversion is inevitable.
Sadly, while countries like
Australia,
New Zealand and
South Africa
managed to change over
from imperial by about 1980. Britain has got roughly half way and got stuck. This
has meant that the full
benefits
of using metric have not been realised. We suffer from today's
mess
of
two systems.
Worse still, metrication has become politicised. In the 1960s and 1970s there was
a broad cross-party political consensus in favour of metric units; metric was universally
regarded as
better. Units
were a purely practical issue. Today,
opposition
to metric units is more or less an article of faith for many
people opposed to Britain's EU membership and for some other politicians. Wild
myths
have become accepted as fact
by many politicians and journalists. The result is that most politicians do not
want to touch the measurement issue with a bargepole.
UKMA
thinks that Britain deserves the best units for
our
education,
health,
roads, jobs and competitiveness.
Above all, we think it is important that our children can simply apply what they
learn in the classroom to their everyday lives. We want our politicians to get their
heads out of the sand and to sort out the current
mess. We need a
wide-ranging programme
to complete the conversion to metric as soon as possible.
But with metrication being almost a taboo issue for 20 years we need
your support
to sort things out.
If you agree with us, consider
joining us
or helping us by
donation.
Please also
speak out
and
write to your MP. Even if you do
not agree with us or have not made your mind up, then at least
give this website a fair reading. Look at the
articles
and
statements
from some eminent
people from all walks of life. If you are unfamiliar with metric look at
what it is
and how it can be used in
practice. If
you are unsure why metric is better then look at the reasons for and against metric
with an open mind.judge for yourself.