England 51st State?
As my US friends will know, not least from "Stop the World", the writer has been brawling with the Charles, Prince of Wales' unspeakable friends and cronies over their criminal behaviour.
The situation in the UK gets more serious by the day. The latest series of Royal disasters including Price Harry and his Nazi armband merely symptoms of a deeper malaise. Once, we looked eccentric. Not any more!
A little over one hundred years ago, the idea, or even aspiration, that the remnants of a declining British Empire would be absorbed into the successor "empire" of the United States was commonplace.
From memory, there were some surprising supporters and indeed there were many historical precedents of a declining civilisation being absorbed by its successor. These were well known to an English speaking population both sides of the Atlantic well versed in classics.
This was a big talking point about 100 years ago. Even people like Kipling correctly foresaw the end:
The
tumult and the shouting dies
The Captains and the Kings depart
Still stands Thine ancient sacrifice,
An humble and a contrite heart.
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget -- lest we forget!
Far-called our navies melt away
On dune and headland sinks the fire
Lo, all our pomp of yesterday
Is one with Nineveh and Tyre!
Judge of the Nations, spare us yet,
Lest we forget -- lest we forget!
People like Kipling saw the inevitability of what would come next. Today, knowledge of history, especially classical history is so poor, that few recognise a pattern and their part in it. Prince Harry's young supporters on the streets are as ignorant as he is - and certainly not supporters of a monarchy.
Churchill did. He did realise that things had to change after WW2. Recall he wanted a union with France? Many others saw the writing on the wall. Most British Prime Ministers knew the days of an independent Britain were numbered, but preferred a European solution, or merely tried inefectually to bridge the Atlantic.
When an empire implodes the remnants are swept up by the successor
Anyway, there is the Britain's choice. The US or Europe. (if the former will have them) You can make a case for either.
The writer made his choice a long time ago. Not from ignorance. He know Europe better than most, but from knowledge. There is a logic behind becoming a statelet in a federal Europe, but Britain and associates can do better that that.
Our future is better and safer with the US.
Americans once they catch their breath may well be anxious to do a deal, probably with Canada, Australia, NZ, most of Britain and Ireland.
The influx of new English speaking states, sharing a common history, culture and legal systems can be very attractive to many in the United States. If you are going to be the world's policeman and protect yourselves in a volatile world, you need like minded and reliable people - in great numbers..
Many Britons, especially the English, would almost certainly opt for being part of the US before being a part of federal Europe. It will be up to Britain to get the best deal.
Interesting days.
I would like to write on the subject, but am having some difficulty in tracing reliable on-line sources. More recent visions of a possible expansion of the US have obscured the earlier ideas, at least as far as on-line sources are concerned.
Any pointers or contacts would be appreciated. email:patgardiner@btinternet.com
Regards Pat Gardiner