British Weights and Measures Association
Encyclopedia
The current British Weights and Measures Association, or BWMA, is a pressure group established in the United Kingdom
(UK) in 1995, founded by Vivian Linacre
.
The current body was established in 1995, but there had also been a predecessor organisation, also called the BWMA, that was established in 1904, and lapsed after the First World War.
and to oppose the compulsory imposition of the Metric system
in the UK. However, by the time of the modern BWMA's founding in 1995, British schoolchildren had been educated using only metric measures since 1974 (earlier in some places), and British industry had changed to using metric tools and equipment during the 1980's and were in most cases manufacturing to metric standards since about that time.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
(UK) in 1995, founded by Vivian Linacre
.
The current body was established in 1995, but there had also been a predecessor organisation, also called the BWMA, that was established in 1904, and lapsed after the First World War.
Aim of the BWMA
The BWMA's stated aim is to uphold the freedom to use the Imperial systemImperial unit
The system of imperial units or the imperial system is the system of units first defined in the British Weights and Measures Act of 1824, which was later refined and reduced. The system came into official use across the British Empire...
and to oppose the compulsory imposition of the Metric system
Metric system
The metric system is an international decimalised system of measurement. France was first to adopt a metric system, in 1799, and a metric system is now the official system of measurement, used in almost every country in the world...
in the UK. However, by the time of the modern BWMA's founding in 1995, British schoolchildren had been educated using only metric measures since 1974 (earlier in some places), and British industry had changed to using metric tools and equipment during the 1980's and were in most cases manufacturing to metric standards since about that time.
Campaigns
- BWMA maintain that people should be free to use the metric system if they want, but that it should not be forced upon them. and specifically, the Association campaigns for freedom for traders to serve their customers in whichever measures both parties find most convenient.
- BWMA campaigns against the metrication of road signs and in 2009 published their response to a consultation hosted by the UK's Department for Transport which discussed a proposal to require compulsory dual Metric/Imperial signage of height limits and width limits. BWMA's responded that dual-units signage should not be made compulsory, and that the legal provisions (from the 1980s) allowing voluntary dual-units signage should be repealed so that only Imperial units could be displayed. This, the BWMA claimed, was to "avoid confusion." (However, the BWMA also asserts that people should be free to choose whichever measurement system that they find most convenient.)
- BWMA support the Metric MartyrsMetric MartyrsThe Metric Martyrs are a British advocacy group based in the United Kingdom who campaign for the freedom to choose what units of measurement are presented. The group states that it believes that vendors should have the freedom to mark their goods with any units they choose. This can be solely...
- a group of traders prosecuted for their defiance of the Weights and Measures ActWeights and Measures ActA Weights and Measures Act is an Act of Parliament determining trade law where the weight or size of the goods being traded are important. For example, if a bottle of milk is for sale and has a label saying it contains one pint, then the law states that it must contain that amount.-United...
and the Price Marking Order.
- BWMA gives detailed advice on how traders can circumvent regulations mandating metric weights and measures.
- BWMA members have published a number of books arguing for customary measures. These include The General Rule by BWMA President Vivian Linacre (Squeeze Press) and About the Size of It by Warwick CairnsWarwick CairnsWarwick Cairns is a British author.He was educated at Keele University in England and at Yale University in the United States, where he studied under Professor Harold Bloom....
.
Opponents
- These actions contrast with the UK Metric AssociationUK Metric AssociationThe UK Metric Association, or UKMA, is an advocacy group in the United Kingdom that argues for completion of the British metrication programme and helps to educate the general public about the metric system...
(UKMA), which campaigns for compulsory Metrication in the United KingdomMetrication in the United KingdomMetrication in the United Kingdom is the process of introducing the metric system of measurement in place of imperial units in the United Kingdom....
for all legal and official purposes, including trade and road signs.
- The BWMA has published a "rogues' gallery" of those they label "Metric Culprits." These include a long list of individuals and bodies that have advocated or supported metrication, including the Irish Minister for Transport, Martin Cullen, who metricated road signs in the Irish Republic in 2005.
Patrons
- Gwyneth DunwoodyGwyneth DunwoodyGwyneth Patricia Dunwoody was a British Labour Party politician, who was the Member of Parliament for Exeter from 1966 to 1970, and then for Crewe from 1974 to her death in 2008...
(1930–2008) - Vice-Admiral Sir Louis Le Bailly
- Sir Patrick Moore (b. 1923)
- John Monson, 11th Baron MonsonJohn Monson, 11th Baron MonsonJohn Monson, 11th Baron Monson was a British hereditary peer and crossbench member of the House of Lords. He was one of the ninety hereditary peers elected to remain in the House after the passing of the House of Lords Act 1999...
(1932–2011)
Honorary members
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