The Future of Britain outside Europe.

cromwell · 03-10-2004, 11:04 PM

The Future of Britain outside Europe – Vision or Illusion?
The UKIP have done a great service to the public in showing the majority do not want the UK to be a part of a federal Europe, but there has to be a positive alternative option, this is my brief musings on what that might be, perhaps the UK Commonwealth Party.
I, like perhaps the majority of people in this country, do not believe we are destined to become a state in a Federal Europe, I believe Britain never has been wedded to Europe, but always has had a role to play on the larger world stage.
How then could we survive, out of Europe?
My conviction is that we shall find our role in a New Commonwealth of nations, thereby fulfilling our historic responsibility to look beyond the parochial and old style politics to a worldview. The suffering and inequalities of wealth, the sickness and famines, the disputes and wars which are the pattern of the world today can only be resolved on a global scale. Now is the time for healing of the world, healing in the sense of making all the disparate elements INTO phpbb_a unity, a whole. This process cannot be directed or planned from any central authority, but must be facilitated and supported by a common vision. The healing or the “becoming whole” will be achieved by all the participant nations and individuals, in their own time and their own way. I would like to see Britain taking such a visionary leap, to cease the short term politically safe, economically self-interest, and the myopic vote catching agendas we are so used to and give the electorate the opportunity to vote for a more sustainable and safer future for themselves and their children.
I believe the Commonwealth, far from being an anachronism as many see it, might be the foundation of a global, multi cultural, multi racial socio-economic organisation best fitted for the 21st century.
Where does Britain's future lie? In Europe? I don't think so. We are an island race yet our history has given us a global vision; our maritime supremacy gave us an Empire and an opportunity to introduce our language, law, democratic government and culture to every corner of the globe. The industrial revolution began, here in Britain, and we prospered as we traded and spread the knowledge and benefits across the world. As nations in the Empire gained their self-government our links became more tenuous, subtler. The concept of the Commonwealth evolved, initially as mother Britain in charge, as in all good families, but now reaching maturity each member country stands on its own feet, independent of Britain, even resentful of the remnants of apron strings so difficult to cut.
It is precisely now, that we in Britain are presented with the historic opportunity to decide our way forward. Shall we break our tradition as an island nation and set our future in a federation of old nations states in Europe, our only concrete link being "Le Chunnel", or do we grasp the greater vision of a world united through trade, culture, and the common good, linked by language, history, and modern technology in a New Commonwealth?
If we chose the second way, we would have to be content being an equal member, no longer the centre of influence and power. We would have to heal some of the family grievances of the past, but with a will on all sides such a New Commonwealth could radiate a new light in an otherwise darkening world.
From a more selfish materialistic viewpoint, we would gain more from these young developing economies than from membership of an aging European super state. The Commonwealth already represents almost a third of the world’s population and a third of its wealth. Our contribution to its growth and success may be through our skills in new technologies of communications. Britain is perhaps at the start of a new era yet again, with a global vision. It is in the area of communications that we once again may lead the world; the Internet and communications may well become our new oceans of discovery. Our early adventures INTO phpbb_the unknown were based on physical travel using our maritime supremacy to explore the world, our second epoch of expansion INTO phpbb_the global scene was through industry and commerce, whilst the third and present challenge rests on a more ephemeral foundation, that of communication. We might be reaching out to that, almost biblical aspiration, when man shall speak to man across all nations as one family with one tongue, that being English.
A New Commonwealth of nations could provide the global vision that is needed now to meet the problems of the coming century, we shall have to find a way of co-habiting this planet without wars, a way of conserving the natural resources that make life possible, a way of living and working together peaceably and with mutual support, particularly for the weaker developing nations who have had a history of exploitation by the great powers. As the present Commonwealth already links the divides of race, religion and economic development, it would seem well fitted to form the foundation for a greater New Commonwealth to meet these challenges.

Michael Lingard BSc (Econ)
28/6/2004

-- "First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.'
Mahatma Ghandi (1869-1948)

Lafayette · 04-10-2004, 12:36 AM

If what is envisioned in that post ever comes to be, I will be able to grow old without as much worry. This is putting the cart ahead of the horse, but if Britain ever withdraws from the EU and the majority of Britons decide to push for a New Commonwealth where all member states are fully equal, I shall wish you all the best.

mkpdavies · 04-10-2004, 01:11 AM

Thats exactly what I want, with countries co-operating with each other for mutual benefit, not trying to dominate each other, or create blocks that are all about making it's members conform and obey a few power mongering corrupt elites. Britain is already a Global entity, why restrict ourself to a restrictive self-obsessed EU?

Anthony Butcher · 04-10-2004, 07:15 AM

It certainly sounds good, but the rest of the world may not be so keen on a British led Commonwealth (again!). As I have said before, there is certainly some merit in the idea of forming very strong alliances with emerging nations, such as India.

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03-10-2004, 11:04 PM	#1 (permalink)
cromwell Newbie Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 1	The Future of Britain outside Europe. The Future of Britain outside Europe – Vision or Illusion? The UKIP have done a great service to the public in showing the majority do not want the UK to be a part of a federal Europe, but there has to be a positive alternative option, this is my brief musings on what that might be, perhaps the UK Commonwealth Party. I, like perhaps the majority of people in this country, do not believe we are destined to become a state in a Federal Europe, I believe Britain never has been wedded to Europe, but always has had a role to play on the larger world stage. How then could we survive, out of Europe? My conviction is that we shall find our role in a New Commonwealth of nations, thereby fulfilling our historic responsibility to look beyond the parochial and old style politics to a worldview. The suffering and inequalities of wealth, the sickness and famines, the disputes and wars which are the pattern of the world today can only be resolved on a global scale. Now is the time for healing of the world, healing in the sense of making all the disparate elements INTO phpbb_a unity, a whole. This process cannot be directed or planned from any central authority, but must be facilitated and supported by a common vision. The healing or the “becoming whole” will be achieved by all the participant nations and individuals, in their own time and their own way. I would like to see Britain taking such a visionary leap, to cease the short term politically safe, economically self-interest, and the myopic vote catching agendas we are so used to and give the electorate the opportunity to vote for a more sustainable and safer future for themselves and their children. I believe the Commonwealth, far from being an anachronism as many see it, might be the foundation of a global, multi cultural, multi racial socio-economic organisation best fitted for the 21st century. Where does Britain's future lie? In Europe? I don't think so. We are an island race yet our history has given us a global vision; our maritime supremacy gave us an Empire and an opportunity to introduce our language, law, democratic government and culture to every corner of the globe. The industrial revolution began, here in Britain, and we prospered as we traded and spread the knowledge and benefits across the world. As nations in the Empire gained their self-government our links became more tenuous, subtler. The concept of the Commonwealth evolved, initially as mother Britain in charge, as in all good families, but now reaching maturity each member country stands on its own feet, independent of Britain, even resentful of the remnants of apron strings so difficult to cut. It is precisely now, that we in Britain are presented with the historic opportunity to decide our way forward. Shall we break our tradition as an island nation and set our future in a federation of old nations states in Europe, our only concrete link being "Le Chunnel", or do we grasp the greater vision of a world united through trade, culture, and the common good, linked by language, history, and modern technology in a New Commonwealth? If we chose the second way, we would have to be content being an equal member, no longer the centre of influence and power. We would have to heal some of the family grievances of the past, but with a will on all sides such a New Commonwealth could radiate a new light in an otherwise darkening world. From a more selfish materialistic viewpoint, we would gain more from these young developing economies than from membership of an aging European super state. The Commonwealth already represents almost a third of the world’s population and a third of its wealth. Our contribution to its growth and success may be through our skills in new technologies of communications. Britain is perhaps at the start of a new era yet again, with a global vision. It is in the area of communications that we once again may lead the world; the Internet and communications may well become our new oceans of discovery. Our early adventures INTO phpbb_the unknown were based on physical travel using our maritime supremacy to explore the world, our second epoch of expansion INTO phpbb_the global scene was through industry and commerce, whilst the third and present challenge rests on a more ephemeral foundation, that of communication. We might be reaching out to that, almost biblical aspiration, when man shall speak to man across all nations as one family with one tongue, that being English. A New Commonwealth of nations could provide the global vision that is needed now to meet the problems of the coming century, we shall have to find a way of co-habiting this planet without wars, a way of conserving the natural resources that make life possible, a way of living and working together peaceably and with mutual support, particularly for the weaker developing nations who have had a history of exploitation by the great powers. As the present Commonwealth already links the divides of race, religion and economic development, it would seem well fitted to form the foundation for a greater New Commonwealth to meet these challenges. Michael Lingard BSc (Econ) 28/6/2004 -- "First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.' Mahatma Ghandi (1869-1948)

04-10-2004, 01:11 AM	#3 (permalink)
mkpdavies Uber Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Woking Posts: 30,615	Thats exactly what I want, with countries co-operating with each other for mutual benefit, not trying to dominate each other, or create blocks that are all about making it's members conform and obey a few power mongering corrupt elites. Britain is already a Global entity, why restrict ourself to a restrictive self-obsessed EU? __________________ http://brits4ronpaul.blogspot.com/ http://wokinglibertarians.blogspot.com/ http://lpuk.org My ignore list Labour, Blue Labour, Lib Dems

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04-10-2004, 12:36 AM	#2 (permalink)
Lafayette Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 114	If what is envisioned in that post ever comes to be, I will be able to grow old without as much worry. This is putting the cart ahead of the horse, but if Britain ever withdraws from the EU and the majority of Britons decide to push for a New Commonwealth where all member states are fully equal, I shall wish you all the best.

04-10-2004, 07:15 AM	#4 (permalink)
Anthony Butcher Administrator Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Long Ashton, Bristol Posts: 9,538 Party: None	It certainly sounds good, but the rest of the world may not be so keen on a British led Commonwealth (again!). As I have said before, there is certainly some merit in the idea of forming very strong alliances with emerging nations, such as India.