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The '''UK Metric Association''', or '''UKMA''', is an [[advocacy group]] in the United Kingdom that argues for [[metrication in the United Kingdom]] and advocates the use of the metric system among the general public in the UK |
The '''UK Metric Association''', or '''UKMA''', is an [[advocacy group]] in the United Kingdom that argues for completion of [[metrication in the United Kingdom]] and advocates the use of the metric system among the general public in the UK. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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[[File:UK Metric Association logo.svg|thumb|200px|Original UKMA logo used prior to 2012 with the italic m. It was changed to the upright Roman m due to style guides which forbid the use of italics for metric symbols to avoid confusion with other scientific symbols.]] |
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UKMA was founded by Chris Keenan in 1999 and formally associated in 2002 as an independent, non-party political, single-issue organisation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About |url=https://ukma.org.uk/about/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221120222755/https://ukma.org.uk/about//https://ukma.org.uk/about/patrons/ |archive-date=20 November 2022 |access-date=27 March 2023 |website=UK Metric Association}}</ref> Later, an e-mail forum was started for supporters of metrication. In 2005, a website called ThinkMetric to help and encourage the general public to think in metric units was launched. In 2006, a blog called MetricViews was launched.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ukmetric.files.wordpress.com/2017/07/ukma-news-2006-12.pdf |title=UKMA News |date=December 2006 |page=1 |access-date=27 March 2023 |website=WorldPress |publisher=UK Metric Association}}</ref> |
UKMA was founded by Chris Keenan in 1999 and formally associated in 2002 as an independent, non-party political, single-issue organisation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About |url=https://ukma.org.uk/about/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221120222755/https://ukma.org.uk/about//https://ukma.org.uk/about/patrons/ |archive-date=20 November 2022 |access-date=27 March 2023 |website=UK Metric Association}}</ref> Later, an e-mail forum was started for supporters of metrication. In 2005, a website called ThinkMetric to help and encourage the general public to think in metric units was launched. In 2006, a blog called MetricViews was launched.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ukmetric.files.wordpress.com/2017/07/ukma-news-2006-12.pdf |title=UKMA News |date=December 2006 |page=1 |access-date=27 March 2023 |website=WorldPress |publisher=UK Metric Association}}</ref> |
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The current chair of UKMA is Peter Burke, and the secretary is Ronnie Cohen.{{ |
The current chair of UKMA is Peter Burke, and the secretary is Ronnie Cohen.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Officers |url=https://ukma.org.uk/about/officers/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601085205/https://ukma.org.uk/about/officers/ |archive-date=1 June 2023 |access-date=1 June 2023 |website=UK Metric Association|date=1 June 2023 }}</ref> {{As of|2023|04|post=,}} its patrons are [[Gavin Esler]], [[Jim Al-Khalili]], [[Lord Kinnock]] and [[Lord Taverne]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Patrons |url=https://ukma.org.uk/about/patrons/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221201083431/https://ukma.org.uk/about/patrons/ |archive-date=1 December 2022 |access-date=1 December 2022 |website=UK Metric Association|date=7 August 2022 }}</ref> |
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==Campaigns== |
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In July 2004, UKMA published its report, "A Very British Mess", as part of its campaign to end the simultaneous use of imperial and metric measurements and for the Government to complete the switch to metric units.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/half-measures--british-mess-2429206 |title=Half measures a ' British mess' |date=9 July 2004 |access-date=4 April 2023 |work=WalesOnline}}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jkKpWdiSI4 |title=Measuring up |date=8 July 2004 |last=Kay |first=John |work=BBC News |via=YouTube |access-date=4 April 2023}}</ref> In the foreward, its patron [[Geoffrey Howe]] confesses that "I didn’t challenge the decision to abolish the [[Metrication Board]], when I was [[Chancellor of the Exchequer]]. I didn’t often run away from difficult decisions - but this is one that I did duck."<ref>{{cite web |title=A very British Mess |url=https://ukma.org.uk/publications/avbm-summary/ |publisher=UK Metric Association |access-date=27 December 2023}}</ref> |
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UKMA's campaign is directed particularly at the Government, which has the primary responsibility for managing the change, but it is also directed at other official bodies, the media and the general public.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ukma.org.uk/the-case-for-change/ |title=The case for change |access-date=4 April 2023 |website=UK Metric Association |publisher=UK Metric Association}}</ref> |
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| ⚫ | In February 2006, UKMA called for the Government to set a date for the conversion of road signs from imperial to metric units.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4741894.stm |title=Call for metric road sign switch |date=23 February 2006 |access-date=4 April 2023 |work=BBC News}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2006/feb/23/transport.immigrationpolicy |title=Campaign for £80m switch to kilometres |date=23 February 2006 |last=Clark |first=Andrew |access-date=4 April 2023 |work=The Guardian}}</ref> |
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UKMA responds to public consultations in which measurement units have relevance.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ukma.org.uk/consultations/ |title=Consultations |access-date=4 April 2023 |website=UK Metric Association |publisher=UK Metric Association}}</ref> |
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UKMA encourages its members and the general public to write to their MPs and the media about issues they come across that are caused by what UKMA describes as "Britain's measurement mess".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ukma.org.uk/what-you-can-do/ |title=What you can do |access-date=4 April 2023 |website=UK Metric Association |publisher=UK Metric Association}}</ref> |
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UKMA campaigns for better consumer protection, arguing that price transparency is best achieved by the accurate and consistent use of a single rational system of measurement.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ukma.org.uk/practical-help/shopping/fair-measurement-for-shoppers/ |title=Fair measurement for shoppers |access-date=4 April 2023 |website=UK Metric Association |publisher=UK Metric Association}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://ukmetric.files.wordpress.com/2022/10/20220826-ukma-response-choice-on-units-of-measurement.pdf |title=Choice on units of measurement: markings and sales |access-date=4 April 2023 |website=WordPress |publisher=UK Metric Association}}</ref> |
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A primary tool in UKMA's campaign is its extensive main website, which includes information about the metric system itself,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ukma.org.uk/what-is-metric/definitions/ |title=Definitions of units in the metric system |access-date=4 April 2023 |website=UK Metric Association |publisher=UK Metric Association}}</ref> as well as numerous webpages that make the case for the earliest practicable completion of metrication.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ukma.org.uk/the-case-for-change/ |title=The case for change |access-date=4 April 2023 |website=UK Metric Association |publisher=UK Metric Association}}</ref> For instance, the webpage on road signage includes examples of the muddle that results from using two systems of measurement for road travel, such as petrol sales being in litres, but fuel consumption being commonly quoted in miles per gallon.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ukma.org.uk/road-signage/ |title=Road signage |access-date=4 April 2023 |website=UK Metric Association |publisher=UK Metric Association}}</ref> A section on myth-busting attempts to debunk common misconceptions about metrication.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ukma.org.uk/why-metric/myths/metric-or-international/ |title=Myths about metric |access-date=4 April 2023 |website=UK Metric Association |publisher=UK Metric Association}}</ref> |
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Another important tool in UKMA's campaign is its Metric Views blog, which regularly publishes articles on issues involving measurement units. Many articles are about issues that arise directly from what the website describes as the "measurement muddle in the UK".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://metricviews.uk/ |title=Metric Views |access-date=4 April 2023 |website=Metric Views |publisher=UK Metric Association}}</ref> |
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UKMA has published a number of reports presenting its case for the completion of metrication.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ukma.org.uk/publications/ |title=UKMA publications |access-date=4 April 2023 |website=UK Metric Association |publisher=UK Metric Association}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://ukma.org.uk/publications/avbm-summary/ |title=A very British mess |access-date=4 April 2023 |website=UK Metric Association |publisher=UK Metric Association}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://ukma.org.uk/publications/msa-summary/ |title=Metric signs ahead |access-date=4 April 2023 |website=UK Metric Association |publisher=UK Metric Association}}</ref> |
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UKMA campaigns for increased public understanding of the metric system by publishing practical information such as cooking guides and advice about installing kitchens using metric.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ukma.org.uk/practical-help/cooking/turkey-roasting-guide/ |title=Turkey roasting guide |access-date=4 April 2023 |website=UK Metric Association |publisher=UK Metric Association}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://ukma.org.uk/practical-help/home-diy/kitchen-planning/ |title=Kitchen planning |access-date=4 April 2023 |website=UK Metric Association |publisher=UK Metric Association}}</ref> UKMA also runs a separate website called Think Metric! designed to help people learn to think in metric, rather than spend time converting from metric to imperial.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://thinkmetric.uk/about/ |title=Think Metric! |access-date=4 April 2023 |website=Think Metric! |publisher=UK Metric Association}}</ref> |
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UKMA campaigns for correct usage of the metric system when used in the media. In 2012, UKMA published a reference card entitled, "Measurement units style guide – A writer’s guide to the correct usage of measurement units", aimed particularly at journalists and writers in the media.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ukma.org.uk/style-guide/ |title=Measurement units style guide |access-date=4 April 2023 |website=UK Metric Association |publisher=UK Metric Association}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://metricviews.uk/2012/07/05/ukma-launches-measurement-units-style-guide/ |title=UKMA launches Measurement Units Style Guide |access-date=4 April 2023 |website=Metric Views |publisher=UK Metric Association}}</ref> |
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UKMA also benefits from several well-known patrons who are able to present UKMA's arguments to a wider audience when opportunities arise to do so.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ukma.org.uk/about/patrons/ |title=Patrons |access-date=4 April 2023 |website=UK Metric Association |publisher=UK Metric Association}}</ref> |
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==Campaigns== |
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| ⚫ | In February 2006, UKMA called for the |
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==Opposition== |
==Opposition== |
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The aims of UKMA contrast with those of the [[British Weights and Measures Association]] (BWMA), which opposes what it describes as "compulsory use of the metric system".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://bwma.org.uk/ |title=BWMA |access-date=30 October 2023 |work=BWMA}}</ref> BWMA also campaigns against what it calls "unlawful metric pedestrian signs".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.transport-network.co.uk/Grayling-orders-councils-to-stop-%27bamboozling%27-pedestrians/15822 |title=Grayling orders councils to stop 'bamboozling' pedestrians |date=23 April 2019 |access-date=30 October 2023 |work=Transport Network}}</ref> It claims that "hundreds of unlawful metric signs have been converted back to imperial, following letters of complaint by BWMA and its supporters".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://bwma.org.uk/defending-imperial-road-signs/ |title=Defending Imperial Road Signs |access-date=30 October 2023 |work=BWMA}}</ref> |
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The aims of UKMA contrast with those of the [[British Weights and Measures Association]] (BWMA), which campaigns against compulsory [[Metrication in the United Kingdom]] and advocates the continued use of imperial measures. |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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Latest revision as of 21:33, 27 December 2023
.jpg){kind=logo} | |
| Abbreviation | UKMA |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1999 (Constitution adopted in 2002) |
| Type | Advocacy group |
| Purpose | Promote metrication in the United Kingdom |
| Website | ukma.org.uk |
The UK Metric Association, or UKMA, is an advocacy group in the United Kingdom that argues for completion of metrication in the United Kingdom and advocates the use of the metric system among the general public in the UK.
History
[edit]UKMA was founded by Chris Keenan in 1999 and formally associated in 2002 as an independent, non-party political, single-issue organisation.[1] Later, an e-mail forum was started for supporters of metrication. In 2005, a website called ThinkMetric to help and encourage the general public to think in metric units was launched. In 2006, a blog called MetricViews was launched.[2]
The current chair of UKMA is Peter Burke, and the secretary is Ronnie Cohen.[3] As of April 2023,[update] its patrons are Gavin Esler, Jim Al-Khalili, Lord Kinnock and Lord Taverne.[4]
Campaigns
[edit]In July 2004, UKMA published its report, "A Very British Mess", as part of its campaign to end the simultaneous use of imperial and metric measurements and for the Government to complete the switch to metric units.[5][6] In the foreward, its patron Geoffrey Howe confesses that "I didn’t challenge the decision to abolish the Metrication Board, when I was Chancellor of the Exchequer. I didn’t often run away from difficult decisions - but this is one that I did duck."[7]
In February 2006, UKMA called for the Government to set a date for the conversion of road signs from imperial to metric units.[8][9]
Opposition
[edit]The aims of UKMA contrast with those of the British Weights and Measures Association (BWMA), which opposes what it describes as "compulsory use of the metric system".[10] BWMA also campaigns against what it calls "unlawful metric pedestrian signs".[11] It claims that "hundreds of unlawful metric signs have been converted back to imperial, following letters of complaint by BWMA and its supporters".[12]
See also
[edit]- Metric Martyrs – a group of English greengrocers who were convicted for using unapproved scales
- Metrication
- US Metric Association – the US metrication advocacy group that inspired the founding of the UKMA
References
[edit]- ^ "About". UK Metric Association. Archived from the original on 20 November 2022. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
- ^ "UKMA News" (PDF). WorldPress. UK Metric Association. December 2006. p. 1. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
- ^ "Officers". UK Metric Association. 1 June 2023. Archived from the original on 1 June 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
- ^ "Patrons". UK Metric Association. 7 August 2022. Archived from the original on 1 December 2022. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
- ^ "Half measures a ' British mess'". WalesOnline. 9 July 2004. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
- ^ Kay, John (8 July 2004). Measuring up. BBC News. Retrieved 4 April 2023 – via YouTube.
- ^ "A very British Mess". UK Metric Association. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
- ^ "Call for metric road sign switch". BBC News. 23 February 2006. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
- ^ Clark, Andrew (23 February 2006). "Campaign for £80m switch to kilometres". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
- ^ "BWMA". BWMA. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
- ^ "Grayling orders councils to stop 'bamboozling' pedestrians". Transport Network. 23 April 2019. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
- ^ "Defending Imperial Road Signs". BWMA. Retrieved 30 October 2023.