In 1952 France wanted to become part of UK? Your comments please.?

Question

Official papers released today in London, reveal that the French government in 1952 wanted France to become part of UK with HM Queen Elizabeth as head of state. The PM Anthony Eden rejected the idea. The French then said they wanted to join the British Commonwealth.

This information was put out on BBC Radio 4 News at 0800 GMT London.

Answer 1

Well, historically, since the Normans, who came from France, took over England in 1066, it would have been more appropriate for France, in a magnanimous moment, to say that the UK should be a part of France. For decades the Normans in England spoke French, until they realised that the English were totally incapable of learning foreign languages, and changed to English.
The idea of joining the British Commonwealth, at the time, was a pre-cursour of the EU. The UK missed it's chance and has since been subjected to rulings from Brussels which may seem to favour France and Germany.
Strangely enough,10 years later, when there were renewed discussions about the UK joining the Common market and the UK were saying that the Commonwealth would require special concessions, I got into a conversation with an Australian, who said, "Australia couldn't give a stuff. We can live without the UK."
The UK has never been wholly committed to Europe, hence the 'special relationship' with the USA.

Answer 2

(1956, not 1952... tie it to the mess over the Suez canal)

That would have made a hole in the nascent European union, or taken Britain straight into the heart of it.

This will definitely be fuel for the "alternate history" writers.

It is one of the biggest surprise stories emerging from the release of 30 or 50 year rule papers that I've seen for a good while.

The French having the Queen as head of state?
L'état c'est elle?
Charles De Gaulle would have recoiled in horror and rebelled, surely?

Answer 3

Yes, interesting ... it would never have worked.

As a nation we hate them, and as a nation they hate us. (Although, on an individual basis, I've liked all the French people I've met.)

The hatred stems from the period when we did control a huge portion of France (roughly between 1200-1400), and, of course, the fact they invaded us a couple of hundred years before that.

But seriously, no. Of course it would have meant that with ER II as their queen they could have got rid of their stupid presidency and saved their populace from a whole chunk of politics.

Economically there would have been horrendous problems, we are an industrial (well, service-based now) economy and they are still agrarian.

Socially we are just too different and the language difference would have been like trying to force two of the same magnetic poles together -- it's virtually impossible.

Answer 4

Quelle Horreur! But the BBC are dealing with the story in the typical dumbed down, Sun journalism, way it has with news. The French would have had to eat Cheddar instead of Camembert they said. Total codswallop. Both could have co-existed. Had it happened, how long would it have lasted. Only yesterday, we had Gordon Brown asking if the Union with Scotland will last until its 310th anniversary (he's a good one to talk - Scotsman telling the English what to do)

Answer 5

They came closest to joining the UK in 1940, the King had given approval, Churchill had talked around the cabinet, the French PM was in favour, but the Germans had another big advance and the French defeatisits in their cabinet lost their collective nevre.

Answer 6

A few years ago there was a much bigger story released. During the war, Roosevelt had proposed assassinating De Gaulle and (with Britain) invading France.

This was because De Gaulle was anti-US interests. Churchill discussed it in cabinet and concluded they had given their word to De Gaulle so couldn't go along with it. So the plan was dropped.

Answer 7

the overall public of voters in N eire state themselves as unionist - which skill they favor to maintain the union with Briton. Plantations in eire grew to grow to be good and dense in the north and their ancestors are todays unionists. - they are very threatened by using the potential of a united eire because it would go away them displaced (and with out any identity or custom). immediately between the Irish community in N eire many arent 'that' worked up about a united eire. As reported the benefits in the united kingdom are a lot more suitable constructive. (and Irish custom would not revolve round politics so authentic Irish identy isn't threatened) There are nevertheless republicans notwithstanding who favor to disrupt this form of peace that exists, to proceed the 'warfare'. There are nevertheless sectarian violence on both aspect of the communities which tricks on the severe violence i trust which could take position if Briton dumped the discomfort it truly is N eire on the republic.

Answer 8

Winston Churchill was Prime Minister in 1952.

Answer 9

I like the French but hate there snails, oy noy

Answer 10

I would have told them to Au Revoir to the request
(I think that is how it is spelt)