The Commonwealth Charter.
Never needed one in 64 Years, so exactly WHY did the "Mother Country" need one now?
https://www.gov.uk/government/ speeches/the-commonwealth- charter
Lord Howell of Guildford (Conservative) followed, saying: ‘The peoples of the Commonwealth are family, not foreigners. Commonwealth governments may be unfriendly at times, awkward, difficult or, frankly, even hostile, but these are family matters, not foreign policy matters. Today's Commonwealth is an all-powerful network concept. The governments and policy-making establishments in a number of countries may not have fully understood this but, outside government, the peoples, businesses and civil societies of the Commonwealth nations certainly have. It is both people-driven and driven by the magnetism of shared values, language and culture, a network of peoples and societies as much as of governments and states-possibly even more so.’
http://www.parliament.uk/ business/news/2013/march/ lords-commonwealth-debate/
He said:
‘We strongly welcome the new Commonwealth Charter which has been agreed and adopted by all Commonwealth Heads of Government. The Government has today laid a copy of this Charter before Parliament in the form of a Command Paper.
‘A copy of the Charter will be presented to Her Majesty the Queen on Commonwealth Day on 11 March. Events to launch the Charter officially will take place across the Commonwealth during that week.
‘For the first time in its 64 year history, the Commonwealth has a single document setting out the core values of the organisation and the aspiration of its members. The Government played an important role in its development.
‘The Charter is an overarching summary bringing together Commonwealth values and commitments that are set out in more detail in previous declarations and affirmations.
‘The Government hopes that the Charter will become an established, recognisable statement of all that the Commonwealth stands for, accessible to all Commonwealth citizens, and a means to protect and promote the Commonwealth’s core democratic values for years to come. The commitments in the Charter should be upheld, adhered to and kept under review by member governments, Parliaments and civil society organisations.
‘A strong Commonwealth will help promote democratic values and good governance and, in turn, the future prosperity of all member states. Strong, clear values are crucial to the future credibility and success of the Commonwealth.
http://ukinindia.fco.gov.uk/ en/news/?view=PressR&id= 860818282
From The Australian Government.
http://www.dfat.gov.au/ intorgs/commonwealth/
56.We agree that the Commonwealth network has influence in nearly every international country grouping, making it a key vehicle for cooperation in a rapidly changing global landscape. We are committed to strengthening trade links with partners across the world. That means within the EU, within the Commonwealth and beyond. Soft power is a key part of the Government’s Emerging Powers strategy, and a means to strengthen our influence in a changing world. The Commonwealth is one of the networks we can use to forge people to people links and partnerships with emerging powers. Commonwealth members share principles of democracy, similar legal systems and shared language. These provide solid foundations for doing business and a potentially useful platform for future trade and investment.
60-only part of--We are also working hard to ensure the EU signs new Free Trade Agreements with four Commonwealth countries so that UK companies can gain access to these markets. Talks with Singapore concluded successfully last month, and we expect the Agreement to be signed in the Spring. Negotiations with Canada, India, and Malaysia are ongoing.
63.There is currently much debate about a possible re-evaluation of the relationship between the UK and the EU, and the economic opportunities presented by the Commonwealth certainly play a part in that debate. However, many other considerations, including for instance economic relations with such countries as China and the United States, will undoubtedly play a bigger role. It is clear that the creation of a free trade area with Commonwealth countries would require a fundamental and potentially risky change in the UK's relationship with the European Union, and the benefits may not outweigh the disadvantages. (Recommendation 20, Paragraph 102)
See 64 and 65 etc 8521 PDF 8521-1 PDF or here
http://www.google.co.uk/url? sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source= web&cd=18&ved=0CFUQFjAHOAo& url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.official- documents.gov.uk%2Fdocument% 2Fcm85%2F8521%2F8521.pdf&ei= b0Q7Ub6WEOqM7Qay_4GAAw&usg= AFQjCNEGlAp1YvDwc8Sx8Sm5icrdCR O42A&bvm=bv.43287494,d.ZGU
I wrote an article-sent round last year, "What is it about the NEW Commonwealth" on 9.2.2012
Latest re Parliament
This is well worth a READ especially in view of apparently some changes and beinging up to date on certain Matters our "Commonwealth Friends may be invited to do, such as "The Foreign Secretary, William Hague, identified three main areas where he would like to see the role of the Commonwealth strengthened: human rights and democracy; engagement on global issues, working to liberalise trade and break down barriers to international trade; and an even greater role in development and conflict prevention. To meet these enormous challenges we need effective Commonwealth institutions, ones which are nimble, agile and able to develop mature and constructive partnerships with other regional, international and civil society organisations. Spoken by Baroness Prashar: 7 Mar 2013 : Column 1696
http://www.publications. parliament.uk/pa/ld201213/ ldhansrd/text/130307-0002.htm# 13030791000758
Strangely, all this reminds me of a little poem from a few years ago now.
"Will you walk into my parlor?" said the spider to the fly;
"'Tis the prettiest little parlor that ever you may spy.
The way into my parlor is up a winding stair,
And I have many curious things to show when you are there."
https://www.gov.uk/government/ speeches/the-commonwealth- charter
Lord Howell of Guildford (Conservative) followed, saying: ‘The peoples of the Commonwealth are family, not foreigners. Commonwealth governments may be unfriendly at times, awkward, difficult or, frankly, even hostile, but these are family matters, not foreign policy matters. Today's Commonwealth is an all-powerful network concept. The governments and policy-making establishments in a number of countries may not have fully understood this but, outside government, the peoples, businesses and civil societies of the Commonwealth nations certainly have. It is both people-driven and driven by the magnetism of shared values, language and culture, a network of peoples and societies as much as of governments and states-possibly even more so.’
http://www.parliament.uk/ business/news/2013/march/ lords-commonwealth-debate/
The Commonwealth Charter
05 March 2013
British Foreign Minister William Hague made a written statement to Parliament on the Commonwealth Charter, yesterday (4 March).
British Foreign Minister William Hague made a written statement to Parliament on the Commonwealth Charter, yesterday (4 March).
‘We strongly welcome the new Commonwealth Charter which has been agreed and adopted by all Commonwealth Heads of Government. The Government has today laid a copy of this Charter before Parliament in the form of a Command Paper.
‘A copy of the Charter will be presented to Her Majesty the Queen on Commonwealth Day on 11 March. Events to launch the Charter officially will take place across the Commonwealth during that week.
‘For the first time in its 64 year history, the Commonwealth has a single document setting out the core values of the organisation and the aspiration of its members. The Government played an important role in its development.
‘The Charter is an overarching summary bringing together Commonwealth values and commitments that are set out in more detail in previous declarations and affirmations.
‘The Government hopes that the Charter will become an established, recognisable statement of all that the Commonwealth stands for, accessible to all Commonwealth citizens, and a means to protect and promote the Commonwealth’s core democratic values for years to come. The commitments in the Charter should be upheld, adhered to and kept under review by member governments, Parliaments and civil society organisations.
‘A strong Commonwealth will help promote democratic values and good governance and, in turn, the future prosperity of all member states. Strong, clear values are crucial to the future credibility and success of the Commonwealth.
http://ukinindia.fco.gov.uk/ en/news/?view=PressR&id= 860818282
From The Australian Government.
http://www.dfat.gov.au/ intorgs/commonwealth/
56.We agree that the Commonwealth network has influence in nearly every international country grouping, making it a key vehicle for cooperation in a rapidly changing global landscape. We are committed to strengthening trade links with partners across the world. That means within the EU, within the Commonwealth and beyond. Soft power is a key part of the Government’s Emerging Powers strategy, and a means to strengthen our influence in a changing world. The Commonwealth is one of the networks we can use to forge people to people links and partnerships with emerging powers. Commonwealth members share principles of democracy, similar legal systems and shared language. These provide solid foundations for doing business and a potentially useful platform for future trade and investment.
60-only part of--We are also working hard to ensure the EU signs new Free Trade Agreements with four Commonwealth countries so that UK companies can gain access to these markets. Talks with Singapore concluded successfully last month, and we expect the Agreement to be signed in the Spring. Negotiations with Canada, India, and Malaysia are ongoing.
63.There is currently much debate about a possible re-evaluation of the relationship between the UK and the EU, and the economic opportunities presented by the Commonwealth certainly play a part in that debate. However, many other considerations, including for instance economic relations with such countries as China and the United States, will undoubtedly play a bigger role. It is clear that the creation of a free trade area with Commonwealth countries would require a fundamental and potentially risky change in the UK's relationship with the European Union, and the benefits may not outweigh the disadvantages. (Recommendation 20, Paragraph 102)
See 64 and 65 etc 8521 PDF 8521-1 PDF or here
http://www.google.co.uk/url? sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source= web&cd=18&ved=0CFUQFjAHOAo& url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.official- documents.gov.uk%2Fdocument% 2Fcm85%2F8521%2F8521.pdf&ei= b0Q7Ub6WEOqM7Qay_4GAAw&usg= AFQjCNEGlAp1YvDwc8Sx8Sm5icrdCR O42A&bvm=bv.43287494,d.ZGU
I wrote an article-sent round last year, "What is it about the NEW Commonwealth" on 9.2.2012
Latest re Parliament
This is well worth a READ especially in view of apparently some changes and beinging up to date on certain Matters our "Commonwealth Friends may be invited to do, such as "The Foreign Secretary, William Hague, identified three main areas where he would like to see the role of the Commonwealth strengthened: human rights and democracy; engagement on global issues, working to liberalise trade and break down barriers to international trade; and an even greater role in development and conflict prevention. To meet these enormous challenges we need effective Commonwealth institutions, ones which are nimble, agile and able to develop mature and constructive partnerships with other regional, international and civil society organisations. Spoken by Baroness Prashar: 7 Mar 2013 : Column 1696
http://www.publications. parliament.uk/pa/ld201213/ ldhansrd/text/130307-0002.htm# 13030791000758
Strangely, all this reminds me of a little poem from a few years ago now.
"Will you walk into my parlor?" said the spider to the fly;
"'Tis the prettiest little parlor that ever you may spy.
The way into my parlor is up a winding stair,
And I have many curious things to show when you are there."
Posts
