FOLLOWING last year’s referendum on Britain’s relationship with the European Union (EU) and the momentous decision to leave, ‘Brexit’ has remained top of the international news agenda because the likely effects will be far-reaching beyond Europe itself.
But the emphasis of the domestic debate has been on the nature of ‘Brexit’ and how it will be implemented within the two-year period provided for in Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty.
Inevitably, at this early stage, there has been less public attention given to Britain’s future international role post-’Brexit’, though more indications are emerging of the potential for enhanced co-operation with the rest of the world, not least with the 52 members of the Commonwealth.
Prime Minister Theresa May has made it clear that the United Kingdom (UK), freed from the shackles of the EU, will seek to re-engage with the rest of the world as a newly self-governing and independent global trading nation; and this means, in the words of Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, bringing to bear not only commercial but also diplomatic, military and cultural influence.
It seems that such an approach will provide an opportunity for Britain to re-establish and re-invigorate her longstanding - though in some cases neglected - relationships with her former colonies in the Commonwealth which have a shared history and language as well as common values and principles together with close cultural links and similar legal and parliamentary systems. Not least among these are the 15 Realms, including the Bahamas, with whom there is a special bond because The Queen is their head of state.
When Britain joined the European Economic Community, known as the Common Market, in 1973, all powers over trade relations were transferred to the European Commission in Brussels. But, after disentangling herself from the EU, she will be able, as a major trading nation, to agree new commercial deals and partnerships with the Commonwealth and worldwide. In parallel, there is likely to be renewed collaboration in the fields of investment and aid together with more technical, educational and cultural co-operation.
Against this background, we were intrigued to note in the UK press last week publication of a letter from 45 British members of Parliament to the Home Secretary (the minister responsible for internal affairs and immigration) asking that citizens of Commonwealth countries should have their UK visas fast-tracked and that there should be a new visa regime making it easier, in particular, for young people to enter the country for purposes of study. In addition, the MPs proposed that there should be dedicated border control lines at airports for Commonwealth visitors, not only as a gesture of welcome and friendship in the new circumstances of a post-’Brexit’ UK but also as part of the rebuilding of relationships with those countries.
This letter follows a call in 2015 for separate immigration channels for visitors from the Realms. Reportedly, the issue is due to be debated in Parliament next week in advance of a meeting in London of Commonwealth trade ministers in March. So the focus is already on the development of closer co-operation in the future.
Meanwhile, with the House of Lords currently debating ‘Brexit’, and despite former Prime Minister Tony Blair’s heavily criticised attempt to persuade people that their decision to leave the EU was made in ignorance of the facts and should be reversed, it is now likely that the ‘Brexit’ negotiations will be launched before too long. We believe, therefore, that in order to be ahead of the game it is not too early for policy-makers in the Caribbean to take the initiative and start exploring both the substance and practicalities of a potential new relationship with Britain.
The effect of a weaker pound sterling may result in fewer tourists coming to our shores in the immediate future. But, in the longer term, countries like the Bahamas should take advantage of our likely special position post-’Brexit’ and determine how we might be able to benefit from Britain’s renewed interest in her former colonies. This should mean the development of stronger ties with the former ‘mother country’ - most importantly in relation to trade and investment but, equally, in so many other areas which link us through our history of wide association, common interests and longstanding friendship.
Comments
DDK 7 years, 1 month ago
AWESOME!
sealice 7 years, 1 month ago
can i get my British Passport back? Not the one taken from me when i was younger?
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID