I was always advised never to fight those in front of you AND THOSE BEHIND YOU AT THE SAME TIME. Governments can be replaced, sadly over the Years most people have voted for Governments that want to remain in the European Union -FOREVER. Surely it would be much wiser to get that message across to the people, for without doubt, all three major Political Parties in the UK at present want this, perhaps on the way probably, to World Government. Almost every bit of legislation this present alleged BRITISH Government has put forward, I can and have traced to the European Union-yes even the last atrocity, Mrs May's "Snoopers" Bill, all for and on behalf of the European Union-YET THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTRY FREELY ELECTED THEM AND CONTRIBUTE TO THEIR PAY THROUGH THEIR TAXES.
We will need the Monarchy however, unless you fancy a dictatorship run by the European Union. It is only our Monarchy that is preventing this from happening now, especially at this time when it has been proven through the Diamond Celebrations how popular our Monarchy is at present. I say here and now, "LONG LIVE THE QUEEN". My loyal and true Oath of Allegiance remains as always and fully to the British Crown.
What ‘is it’ about the NEW Commonwealth?
I have to admit, I had not thought a great deal about the British Commonwealth other than a family of Commonwealth Nations getting together, meeting up and exchanging views, a voluntary association of independent states, promoting democracy and organising such as the Commonwealth Games until I realised that at the last ‘Commonwealth’ meeting in 2011 was “some-how different”.
Considering this organisation was founded in 1931, although previously there was a Commonwealth Countries League, founded in 1925 to promote and encourage mutual understanding throughout the Commonwealth, yet it seems to have been chugging along very well and certainly there has been no need of any contractual obligations at all-until now. The Countries cover six continents and covers about one third of the Worlds population, absolutely amazing and it is still dynamic and growing. The Commonwealth has survived many years, and the people’s of the Commonwealth have fought side by side, particularly in the last World War that many alive today realise that without them fighting side by side, many would not have had the freedom “today” that they fought together for in 1939-1945. Now the word and meaning of British has been dropped from its title and the allegiance to the Crown from its statute.
With our Queen as Head of the Commonwealth without doubt those that attend have recognised that the Commonwealth is a “symbol of their free association” and that is what makes the Commonwealth so different from other associations. There has never been any need for a Constitution for the Commonwealth nor a Charter but having read what is proposed for the future New Commonwealth? Who knows what will happen?
Lord Sheikh in the House of Lords 8 Sep 2011 : Column 412-413, tells that. “The Commonwealth's 2 billion inhabitants account for approximately 30 per cent of the world's population. It has been estimated that this translates to a contribution of one-quarter of the global economy. In excess of $3 trillion dollars worth of trade occurs annually within the Commonwealth. The combined gross domestic product of the organisation is thought to have almost doubled between 1990 and 2009. Member nations include India, South Africa, Malaysia, Nigeria and Singapore. These countries are among the fastest growing economies and are certain to shape the future of the global economy”.
He makes a very good point here and he captures the very essence of what the Commonwealth is all about-actually what it has been about up until now. “It is argued by some that because the affairs of the Commonwealth are not legally binding, the organisation is weaker and its power is relatively less than, say, that of the European Union. I would, however, argue that this is a misunderstanding. It is the voluntary nature of the body and the common bond which provides its very strength. Indeed, the Commonwealth remains a forum for debating important issues affecting our world. The Commonwealth comprises 54 nations, which represent each of the world's prominent religions. I am actively involved in building harmonious relationships between various racial and religious groups, and I believe that the Commonwealth is a marvellous platform to bring people together under one umbrella. It is home to 800 million Hindus, 500 million Muslims and 400 million Christians. It is an important multilateral organisation that demonstrates the effective use of soft power in international relations. I would like to see Commonwealth countries more actively involved in conflict resolution and building stronger business links between the various countries.”
Certainly we all seem to become involved at times particularly when the “Commonwealth Games” are on. But will we view it differently once it has been “modernised? A new group of people, named “The Eminent Persons Group” were given the task a couple of years ago, to look into what could be done to bring the Commonwealth into “Today’s’ world. Their report was indeed ready for the meeting. (See below-the report in full)
Many members share a Common heritage, and most a common language. There has been no contractual laws or obligations but many are indeed committed to their beliefs in working together, and most certainly the Commonwealth meetings keep them together to talk and to relax. Certainly “no Pressure” then!
I knew this meeting was ‘different’ as soon as I realised that our Prime Minister, David Cameron and William Hague was there. Oh boy, Oh Boy. Without a word to the people of this Country he has proposed changes to the rules on succession to the British Crown, which has to have the agreement of some 15 other countries who have the Queen as their Monarch. He also wants to scrap the ban on spouses of Roman Catholics ascending to the throne and give girls the same right of succession as boys.
He also pressed for progress on a range of human rights issues, and he advised the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (Chogm) that to stay relevant it must work harder to uphold basic values. Many people here in the UK might also welcome these proposed changes yet, none have been put to them.
Mr Cameron also said he wanted the Chogm leaders to step up efforts to wipe out polio from the four countries where it is endemic. (see below) and also Mr Cameron said he expects good progress to be made on developing a "charter" of rights and freedoms. Other points suggested that seemed to be a little more problematic, were the appointment of an independent commissioner for the rule of law and human rights and a call for all member states to repeal laws banning homosexuality.
Before the meeting in Perth and on 27th July 2011 and bearing in mind the Commonwealth has been nodding along for all these years without many of the “new and exciting proposals” thought of by Mr Cameron, in case anything has been missed out, along comes William Hague to the rescue, with, The Commonwealth is “back at the heart of British Foreign Policy”
I quote, “We think there is scope for change in three important areas. The first is to strengthen the Commonwealth’s work on human rights and democracy.” “The Commonwealth Eminent Persons Group has identified human rights as an important area for the Commonwealth’s development, and while we look forward to the presentation of its recommendations at CHOGM, this is an area which will receive enthusiastic support from Great Britain. In particular, we hope it will be possible to extend the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group’s remit beyond democracy to support the respect for rule of law and human rights which underpin it, for example by working to support members to protect their citizens from forced marriages and by making the case against capital punishment in the more than 40 members where it is still practiced. Its role should not just be about censorship when things go wrong, but also supporting members to get it right.”
“Second, we see great potential for the Commonwealth to increase its engagement on global economic issues. It includes many of the fastest growing technologically advanced economies in the world – the great markets not just of today but of tomorrow –a combined GDP that has more than doubled in the last twenty years”.
“Third, we would also like to see the Commonwealth assert an even greater role in development and conflict prevention in the coming years. Part of this is what the Commonwealth can do for other countries through its example or through practical assistance. We see scope for an even greater Commonwealth role in fragile states and young democracies, a mission which should be given even greater importance in the light of the transformation now underway in Tunisia, Egypt and other parts of the Middle East and North Africa.” (Please see below for the whole speech, for I have only quoted “bits” of it).
What is being proposed now, bears little resemblance from hesitant grouping that gathered together in 1931, yet is has plodded on since then quite happily until 2011. Now, I get the feeling that with all the proposed changes, it could all go awry.
But the Commonwealth is not just about “games” is it? For I remember and regarded Members of the Commonwealth as “family”. Part of our family, for greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. Life is the most valuable matter we possess; and when a man is willing to lay that down for his friends or his country, it shows the utmost extent of love. Well over a million Commonwealth Forces died so that the people in these small British Isles remained free.
Yes, I gently remind here, that our Commonwealth friends have fought along side of us when we have, as a country, have been near to losing our freedom to govern ourselves in two World Wars, the last war being one that people my age cowed in air-raid shelters while our Houses, Hospitals and Schools, factories, Bridges etc were bombed night after night here in the United Kingdom of Great Britain.
Not far from where I live now are some of the graves of those Commonwealth Forces that gave their lives for us. Where we can go at times, and remember the sacrifice they made for us. They gave their lives so that all of those in that magnificent building could continue to Govern this Country according to its 600 year old Common Law Constitution, for that is the only lawful Constitutional foundation other new laws can legally/lawfully be built upon. That is what our Members of the Commonwealth fought for; that no British person could or would allow a foreigner to ever set aside our own Constitution for any of their foreign laws.
From the natural getting together, united by a common allegiance to the British Crown and freely associated as Members of the British Commonwealth of Nations and through being a voluntary association of independent states, without written Commitments and Treaties, laws, rules or regulations, it is now proposed that a ‘Charter’ be signed, a ‘Commitment’ made for members of the Commonwealth, but WHY? From the Charter Document which has a preamble, At 4.4 We recognise that Parliaments and local government and other forms of national, regional and local governance are essential elements in the exercise of true democracy throughout the Commonwealth. And here is a good one considering our Mr Cameron gives the impression he is not very happy with the Human Rights Act, for at 5.1 We reaffirm our commitment to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948 and to Human Rights covenants and instruments that declare the universal rights of all; etc.
I have recently completed a UK Consultation Paper on the Commonwealth the one question and answer given place here. Question: - Does the Commonwealth retain a purpose and value? Yes, indeed it does, at least if it is left as it is at present. The present Commonwealth can achieve far more than the European Union can ever hope to achieve no matter how long the latter survives. If the former is changed however by what is proposed in the Report of the Eminent Persons Group to Commonwealth Heads of Government at Perth, Oct 2011, “A Commonwealth of the people-Time for Urgent Reform”, it too will eventually die as part of the EU is dying at present, for without the people behind it, it is doomed-even though it may take an unconscionable time in dying. Sadly, it looks as if the Commonwealth has been or is being hi-jacked, or destroyed from the great idea of what it was and what it stood for. For it is now to become the New Commonwealth, and from reading, “it is time for urgent reforms” it is reminiscent of the words in the EU Treaties.
We tend to forget when people talk of needing the EU for trade, that the Commonwealth Market is nine times greater than that of the European Union. Part of what makes the Commonwealth unique is its diversity and its geographical spread, and this diversity must be cherished. It also represents developed countries, huge developing economies like India and small, dynamic countries like Singapore. This Country does not generally make demands on any member of the Commonwealth and not one Commonwealth Country makes any demand upon us. It does not make any Rules or Regulations or ‘fine’ this once great Country if it does not fly its flag. Which reminds me that it has been suggested at times that the EU flag should also be raised along side the UK however, there is still a certain protocol on the matter of flying flags. (See below).
It amazes me that after all these years we now need everything set out, a need to reform and to demonstrate their support for real and tangible action on equality and development issues. Absolutely Amazing! How on earth did the Commonwealth manage to survive the first sixty plus years without everything written down? Commitments made? Each signing a Charter? Members of the Commonwealth have never needed anything like this before. This is a NEW proposed Commonwealth and I understand fully why there seems to be some dissent.
WHY indeed, after all these years should any free Country that has enjoyed the British Commonwealth which is no longer “British”, sign up to any such document? That is the question, WHY AFTER ALL THESE YEARS? The proposed CHARTER starts on page 180 re the “Time for Urgent Reform”. Having read the Eminent Persons Group recommendations for the “Reform of the Commonwealth” and the present British Commonwealth having survived all these years without “rules and regulations” written down with the request to sign certain documents, perhaps many still free nations will just “walk away”?
I asked, what is it all about? What exactly is the true meaning of the intervention (intrusion) of Mr Cameron and Mr Hague? Is it that eventually, a linking up of other organisations might eventually come about? Most certainly there was talk of the EU and the Commonwealth Working together (see below). To set you thinking eh? Anne Palmer 9.2.2012
“Time for Urgent Reform”. The Report of the Eminent Person’s Group to Commonwealth Heads of Government. Perth, October 2011.
http://www.thecommonwealth.org/files/241620/FileName/EminentPersonsGroupReport.pdf
Four Countries re Polio
http://www.polioeradication.org/Infectedcountries.aspx
Lord Howell 100 Days to Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 20.July 2011. http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/news/latest-news/?view=News&id=633144182
The Commonwealth is "back at the heart of British Foreign Policy" 27,July 2011. http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/news/latest-news/?view=Speech&id=636306082
Lord Sheikh in the House of Lords 8 Sep 2011 : Column 412-413 http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201011/ldhansrd/text/110908-0001.htm#11090855000756
A good read by Philip Murphy-A Gigantic Farce http://www.spectator.co.uk/australia/7441418/a-gigantic-farce.thtml
Hansard Lords 8 Sep 2011 : Column 417- 419 http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201011/ldhansrd/text/110908-0001.htm
Flying of Flags in the UK http://www.flaginstitute.org/pdfs/Flying_Flags_in_the_United_Kingdom.pdf
For interest –to read in your own time.
Is it time for the UK to ‘move on”? http://www.euromove.org.uk/index.php?id=6509
The UK, EU and the Commonwealth: uneasy relationship or transnational politics? http://franckduvell.posterous.com/the-uk-eu-and-the-commonwealth-uneasy-relatio
These added 6.6.2012.
Ruth Lea: As the EU squabbles, the Commonwealth looks even more enticing. http://conservativehome.blogs.com/thecolumnists/2011/10/ruth-lea-as-the-eu-squabbles-the-commonwealth-looks-even-more-enticing-1.html
Comment from Consultation re Members re Eminent Persons Group. 22 pages
http://www.thecommonwealth.org/files/233434/FileName/Vol4EPGResponsesToConsultationFromCYPYouthCaucusReps2_MCFINAL.pdf
Commonwealth – the soft power network of the future
26 July 2011
Lord Howell: 'We want the Commonwealth to play a key role in the unfolding opportunities and challenges that our increasingly networked world brings.'
| Speaker: | Rt Hon Lord Howell of Guildford, Minister for the Commonwealth |
| Event: | 57th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference |
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