The Commonwealth

[TheOstrich]

With all these Caribbean countries clamouring for monetary reparations due to our past involvement in slavery - which I am completely against - is it now time to formally consign this particular "organisation" to the dustbin?

Including the Commonwealth Games?

[Workingman]

Hmmm, this question has rumbled on for decades, and I guess it might run on for more.

It long ago ceased to be the British Commonwealth and became the Commonwealth of Nations. Membership is entirely voluntary and some members were never part of the now defunct British Empire. It is entirely up to the members whether it continues or not, the UK cannot scrap it on its own as it is not ours.

As for reparations... Slavery was banned over 200 years ago and former slave colonies have had all that time to sort out their economies... with help from the UK via beneficial trade deals. Some have, some have not.

Maybe the UK should get on to Rome for reparations as, after all, the conquering Legions did enslave Britons in and to its Empire. Where does this stuff end?

As for the Games, yes they should end. They are a costly exercise and very few Commonwealth nations want to (or can afford to) hold them anymore.

[cromwell]

Yes to both.
The Carribean nations are just trying to shake us down; and once they have established the principle they will be back for more.

[Workingman]

The UK cannot scrap the Commonwealth, we do not own it, it is not ours, but we could leave...

Now, I wonder what problems Comexit might bring? These distant old (poorer) friends were suppose to pick up the slack from our richer friends just down the road due to Brexit. That's worked well, eh?

Maybe we should join another trading bloc, something like the CPTTP, its only 10,000 miles away.

Cheese to Japan anyone?

Oooer!

[Suff]

My negotiating stance with these nations would always be the same. I'll sign about reparations for slavery the same day as every tribe in these nations signs on the dotted line to pay reparations to every other tribe they attacked, took prisoners and sold into slavery.

Should pretty much end the discussion right there.

[medsec222]

I recently heard one commentator on the television refer to monetary reparation as a scam. I agree entirely with this and would suggest that when the subject of reparation is raised it should be closed down immediately. We are a soft touch nation ripe for other individuals or interests to bleed us dry. Let us hope Sir Keir remains firm in his intentions not to pay reparation. Unfortunately David Lammy may well prove to be hindrence rather than a help.

[Kaz]

Maybe the UK should get on to Rome for reparations as, after all, the conquering Legions did enslave Britons in and to its Empire. Where does this stuff end?
.

Quite! The whole idea is ridiculous.

[Workingman]

I am wondering why these Commonwealth countries are not asking for reparations from the countries now on what was known as the "Slave Coast" in West Africa. It stretches from Senegal round the elbow of Nigeria and Cameroon to Angola.

The warring tribes of the time and in that region drove their defeated enemies to ports on the coast and sold, yes sold, them to the Dutch, French, British and Portuguese - mainly the Portuguese not the British - merchants and into slavery. Without them there might not have been a slave trade of any size. Their involvement has almost been erased from history. Meds and Suff are right.

But we have to forget all that because, well, we all know why?

[TheOstrich]

I think nowadays, the UK is just regarded as a "soft touch" which can be pushed around by these countries.
Our influence in the world is virtually nil these days. I wonder why ........

[Workingman]

Its because history has been written to prove that the White Man was the Devil, but It was never the case.

The 14 'complainants' want something like £18 trillion in compensation from the UK, yes £18 trillion. Go do one. You are independent nations; sort your trade deals out and stop bleeding the UK to help you sell Coconuts and pineapples.

There's a big world out there, you have had 200 years to explore it. Give it a go.