Commonwealth unification movement
The Commonwealth unification movement is a political movement advocating closer political affiliation between member states of the Commonwealth of Nations. In some cases, this movement seeks the eventual formation of some type of supranational, federalist or economic union within the Commonwealth. It is the modern equivalent of the Imperial Federation Movement. Support for such a movement is largely confined to the United Kingdom.
The movement exists most prominently within western countries. They most commonly support the possibility of union between developed members of the Commonwealth, generally excluding states that are underdeveloped or politically unstable.[1] Most commonly associated with these movements are Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, for which the acronym CANZUK is sometimes used, though Singapore, Brunei, Cyprus and Malta could also be included. An economic union consisting of these four states would become the fourth largest economy in the world after the Eurozone, the United States, and China.[2]
In the United Kingdom, the movement is sometimes seen as a possible alternative to the European Union and has gained minor awareness due to the escalation of the European sovereign-debt crisis. The United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) seeks to withdraw from the EU and strengthen ties between Britain and the Commonwealth, which would include the negotiation of a Commonwealth Free Trade Area.[3] The policy of stronger relations with the Commonwealth is also supported by many leading activists in the British Conservative Party, the current main government party.
Commonwealth realms[edit]
It has been suggested by organisations, such as the United Commonwealth Society, that the most likely and successful form of Commonwealth Union would be between the sixteen Commonwealth realms of which Elizabeth II is Queen. The close similarity between political systems in the realms, all of which are Westminster-style parliamentary democracies, is cited as a positive aspect, reducing friction caused by federalisation. Many proponents of this form of union suggest a Commonwealth-wide parliament elected under universal suffrage with federal legislatures existing on what are now the Canadian provinces, Australian states, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, respectively, although due to a significantly higher population in the United Kingdom propositions differ on how to deal with this.
Union of the Commonwealth realms would create a state with the third largest economy by nominal GDP estimates. It would also see the worlds largest Exclusive Economic Zone by current standards and access to well established financial services through the United Kingdom and primary resource extraction in Canada and Australia.
Level of support[edit]
United Kingdom[edit]
With increasing dissatisfaction in the United Kingdom's membership towards the European Union and the increasing likelihood of a referendum on membership in 2017 numerous groups, such as leading members of the Conservative Party and UKIP, have advocated increasing economic integration with the Commonwealth as a viable alternative to the European Union.
Outside the United Kingdom[edit]
The idea of Commonwealth Unification has not received notable publicity or support outside of the United Kingdom, and in Australia and New Zealand the organisation is often considered to be irrelevant to the region and receives little public exposure.[4] In Canada there is little popular feeling for the Commonwealth, it is not celebrated as an institution by the government,[5] and some commentators have called for the institution to be dissolved.[6]
See also[edit]
- Imperial Federation
- Imperial Federation League
- Round Table Movement
- Political union
- Dominion
- Federalism
- Supranationalism
References[edit]
- ↑ "Commonwealth Nations Research Society". Retrieved 2009-10-30. Canadian-based political movement.
- ↑ The World Bank: World Development Indicators. Gross domestic product (2008) World Bank. 19/04/2010. Retrieved 22/04/2010.
- ↑ Out of the EU, Into the World ukip.org. March 2010. Retrieved 22/04/2010.
- ↑ http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2009/s2755451.htm
- ↑ http://o.canada.com/2013/03/11/federal-commonwealth-celebrations-flagging-in-canada/
- ↑ http://m.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/the-old-grey-commonwealth-aint-what-it-used-to-be/article1327311/?service=mobile
External links[edit]
- Commonwealth Secretariat
- Commonwealth Parliamentary Association
- Royal Commonwealth Society
- United Commonwealth Society
- Diamond Jubilee Initiative
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