UK Metric Association facts for kids
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| 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, also known as UKMA, is a group in the United Kingdom. They work to help the UK fully switch to the metric system for measurements. They also encourage everyone in the UK to use metric units in their daily lives.
Contents
What is the UK Metric Association?
The UKMA is an advocacy group. This means they speak up for a specific cause. Their main goal is to see the United Kingdom completely adopt the metric system. This system uses units like metres, kilograms, and litres.
How the UKMA Started
The UKMA was started by Chris Keenan in 1999. By 2002, it became a formal group. It is an independent organisation, meaning it doesn't belong to any political party. It focuses only on the metric system.
Later, an email group was created for people who supported the metric system. In 2005, a website called ThinkMetric was launched. This site aimed to help people learn and use metric units. A blog named MetricViews also started in 2006.
Who Leads the UKMA Now?
As of 2025, Peter Burke is the current leader, called the chair. Ronnie Cohen is the secretary. Famous people like Gavin Esler, Jim Al-Khalili, Lord Kinnock, and Lord Taverne support the UKMA as patrons.
What Campaigns Does UKMA Run?
The UKMA runs campaigns to promote the metric system. They want the UK to use only metric measurements.
Ending Mixed Measurements
In July 2004, the UKMA released a report called "A Very British Mess". This report was part of their effort to stop using both imperial and metric measurements at the same time. Imperial units include miles, pounds, and pints. The UKMA wants the government to finish changing over to metric units.
Changing Road Signs
In February 2006, the UKMA asked the government to set a date. They wanted a date for changing all road signs. Currently, road signs in the UK show distances in miles. The UKMA wants them to show distances in kilometres instead.
Who Opposes the UKMA?
Not everyone agrees with the UKMA's goals. Another group, the British Weights and Measures Association (BWMA), has different ideas.
The British Weights and Measures Association
The BWMA is against what they call "compulsory use of the metric system". They believe people should not be forced to use metric units. The BWMA also campaigns against metric signs for walkers. They say that many metric signs have been changed back to imperial ones because of their complaints.
See also
- Metrication – The process of changing to the metric system.
- US Metric Association – A group in the United States that also promotes the metric system. This group inspired the UKMA.
