"Size of a mother cow's udder, confirms to the calf that there is milk tomorrow and the day after.” This is a saying from the Baganda. The Commonwealth (former colonies and dominions of Britain as well as the US) is a fall back position; a shrunken interconnected world that is accessed by cheaper transport or at one’s mobile device; and no fear of another Germany with a Hitler are a confidence bedrock the Britons have on which a Brexit solidly stands. Complexity is no longer the exotic and has long ceased to be vogue. Inhabitants of Europe and their cultures can be separate while at the same time they can share beliefs, institutions and values. Europe is a common home. Britons will not lose their European identity. For this was bestowed upon them when they were part of the Roman Empire (Spencer M. Di Scala. 2004) with Rome as a unifying factor. Identification of Europe was established in many layers beginning with Romans, Latin, monarchies with related bloodlines, christianity/christendom, countering islam and Ottoman Turks in 7th and 8th centuries, common legal and political principles, judicial institutions, monetary system, weighs, measures, and a similar sophistication as compared to say, the cultures and people of their colonies. They may have exited, but continued diplomatic vigilance, political equilibrium, military preparedness are going to become the new dimensions around which to organize. This means newer jobs and ways of life. Philosopher Niccolò Machiavelli defined Europe according to the government and political styles of the individual states. There are lessons learnt in his treatise The Prince. Individual liberty, diversity, multiplicity of states are spectacular and both short and long-term. Short and long-term events and tendencies define European History. Britain has a stake in what defines Europe. Britain has its hand in what shaped the world today. It will fall back on its history to shape its destiny with the help of the US. The role of US in Europe is going to increase immensely. The US is going to realize that it can make allies with other countries as strong as the ones it has with Britain.
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| European Parliament. Source: The Guardian |
Britain is thinking of utilizing its historical ties with the commonwealth countries. Market and commonwealth are mentioned in different circles. I recall a radio talk show I was listening to and the presenter touched on Boris Johnson’s comments about Obama (Ashley Cowburn. April 22nd 2016). Boris is said to have remarked: "Because of his grandfather and Kenya and colonialization, I think Obama has a bit of a grudge against this country. His attitude to Britain might be based on his 'part-Kenyan' heritage and dislike of the British Empire,” (Anushka Asthana. April 22nd 2016). Even if this was in a different light, it is still something that will be addressed. Boris will apologize, some political concession will be made ( perhaps the British Commission in Kenya will send funds to that school named after President Obama…well, something or other that politicians will come up with). The UK as we have known it will be different and negotiate differently now around the commonwealth.
The role of US in Europe is going
to increase immensely.
The US is going to realize that
it can make allies
with other countries as strong
as the ones it has with Britain.
The Canadian High Commissioner said: ”We have always believed that the Commonwealth has a significant role," he said. "Canada, the relationship, as we all know, is extraordinarily close. We have a unique relationship between us, given our history.” The market for British goods and products (I am sure we are going to see many ‘Made in England’ things again) is the next thing on their mind. Lord Hill, Britain’s EU Commissioner warned of serious consequences from a leave vote as France, Germany and other Eurozone countries moved to gang up on the UK to favour their own financial services industry. He continued to say: “I wanted it to end differently and had hoped that Britain would want to play a role in arguing for an outward-looking, flexible, competitive, free trade Europe. But the British people took a different decision, and that is the way that democracy works,” he continued to say in a statement (Claire Phipps, Ben Quinn and Chris Johnston, June 26th 2016).
A confidence in the commonwealth as a future market base: the sheer numbers of below 65 year olds who are well educated (Louis Doré. 2016) professional, travel and look at the world using a different lens; and that there will never be Germany with a Hitler anymore are strong motivation for the Britons. All of this in a globalized world. England, Northern Ireland and Wales or Britain( if Scotland is still in) will have to cut their coat according to the global cloth (Sebaspace). The English language as a heritage acts in their favour. Indeed, the Commonwealth is a fall back position; a shrunken interconnected world that is accessed by cheaper transport or at one’s mobile device; and no fear of another Germany with a Hitler to boot are a confidence bedrock the Britons have on which a Brexit solidly stands.
References:
Ashley Cowburn. April 22nd 2016. Boris Johnson accused of ‘dog whistle racism’ over controversial Barack Obama Kenya remarks. Retrieved from: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/boris-johnson-barack-obama-kenya-remarks-accused-dog-whistle-racism-john-mcdonnell-labour-a6996286.html. Retrieved on: June 25th 2016.
Anushka Asthana. April 22nd 2016. London mayor under fire for remark about 'part-Kenyan' Barack Obama. Retrieved from: http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/apr/22/boris-johnson-barack-obama-kenyan-eu-referendum. Retrieved on: June 25th 2016.
Claire Phipps, Ben Quinn and Chris Johnston, June 26th 2016. Retrieved from: http://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2016/jun/25/brexit-live-emergency-meetings-eu-uk-leave-vote. Retrieved on: June 25th 2016.
Louis Doré. 2016. How old people have screwed over the younger generation - in three charts. Retrieved from: ndy100.independent.co.uk/article/how-old-people-have-screwed-over-the-younger-generationin-three-charts--W1AA_n4nEb?utm_source=indy&utm_medium=top5&utm_campaign=i100. Retrieved on: June 25th 2016.
Michael Wilkinson. June 26th 2016. EU referendum: Battle to be Brexit Prime Minister heats up as Tory MPs question Boris Johnson's leadership credentials. Retrieved from: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/06/25/eu-referendum-brexit-prime-minister-tory-mps-boris-johnson-leade/. Retrieved on: June 25th 2016.
Sebaspace. 2016. Brexit: the battle royal for who decides elections is properly joined. Retrieved from: https://sebaspace.wordpress.com/2016/06/25/brexit-the-battle-royal-for-who-decides-elections-is-properly-joined/#comment-4447. Retrieved on June 25th 2016.
Spencer M. Di Scala. 2004. Twentieth Century Europe: Politics, Society, Culture. New York NY 10020. The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
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