Out of sheer curiosity, would any British citizens actually approve of becoming the 51st U.S. state?

Question

I happened to run into an article on Wikpedia examining the potential candidates for the 51st U.S. state (which, keep in mind, may never exist) which can be found here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/51st_State

I was surprised to note that one of the suggested countries (among others such as Guyana, Japan, the Alberta Province of Canada, etc.) was Britain.

As a link in the article suggests, this would give Britain several great advantages over the other states: The U.K. would be the most populous and wealthy state by far, thereby weilding huge power in Congress.

The cultural, social, and economic ties the two countries share already would make integration relatively easy as, say, compared to joining the E.U., which consists of many cultures that do not share the U.K.'s values.

Please keep in mind, I'm not actually advocating this, nor do I even believe it to be entirely plausible. I was simply curious as to what the British might actually think of such a proposal.

Thanks,

Sterfrye

Thanks for answering, everyone.

Once again, let me remind everyone that, even though I'm American, I'm not advocating this and certainly didn't mean to anger anyone; I just thought it was an interesting quesiton to kick around. It's not like such a situation was totally unprecedented, either, as Texas was a republic for several years before becoming a state.

And, to those of you who responded with angry patriotism to your country, I've honestly no problem with that. As a patriot myself, I completely understand your love of country and unwillingness to do such a thing. Bravo for your willingness to take a stand.

Answer 1

in a dangerous world like this one, a nation needs good allies, if britain feels she can not stand alone or has not got the power of hope and faith to do so, and has to aligne with a super power if that alignement is between europe and america, it has to be america, and there are many reasons why that should be, but i would prefere to go it alone,and have america as allies. britain and america have been in love for years we are an old and faithfull couple.

Answer 2

Well I am a Brit, living in the US, so I have a slightly different perspective these days. First of all, never going to happen, we can't even give up the pound to go with the Euro. At the time we last voted, I thought we should keep the pound, now I am not so sure.
As for the 51st state, I think it would be difficult to give up all the things that a sovereign nation enjoys to become basically an annex of the US albeit a very wealthy one.
We do have very close ties with the US and it will remain so and many people believe we do have more in common with the US than our European, but i just don't think there is the appetite to move in this direction.

Definitely an interesting question

Answer 3

What an appalling idea! Are you American? Britain is a state in its own right, moving closer to Europe is far more logical than moving closer to the USA. the benefits of being close to Europe greatly outweigh anything the USA could offer. The USA would expect the UK to be under their thumb, and offer virtually nothing in return, whereas, as a member of the EU Britain is an equal member. If Europe were to become a federation, it would be at least as strong as the USA, stronger as far as trade goes. There was a question very similar to this only a short while ago, why does the USA want Britain for its own?

Answer 4

Always said before all the terrorist thing started that when Britain was offered European membership we turned the wrong way .

Instead of turning right to Europe we should have turned left to America.

Then all the illegal immigrant's who come over to us daily would have thought we were on the other side of the Atlantic (to far) and not bothered coming to us.

Footnote before I go :

True little tale.

I was in California the year the Channel Tunnel opened between France and the UK and a sweet American lady said to me what a nice car I was driving and I replied well thank you but its only a hire car of which she replied "Sorry she said, I thought now the tunnel was open you had driven over."

Bless

Answer 5

Hmm, I'm not really patriotic, I don't believe that patriotism is a good thing in any way, so I'm not representative of British people per se. My first thought was 'no', but thinking about the advantages that may be gained from as much have steered me in the other direction. I think it would be quite cool to be able to live in America. Better weather. So yeah, I'm a fan. Not that it would ever happen. (never say never I guess ;)

Answer 6

I would totally object to being the 51st state or any other number of the USA and would be appalled at such a vote on this ....I am proud to be British and want the British put back into being British!

Answer 7

I'd quite like it to be honest, right now we're in the EU which means any person in another European country can come over to another country and set up house, and it may be all well and good for them but why does an English person want to go and live in Bosnia and that? Plus they want to take away our pound and put us in Euros... Can I come over to America? It's no fun here....

Answer 8

Don't trust Wikipedia.

I don't know what the British think of it, but I like 50 states. It's a nice round number.

Answer 9

Lately, from what I've witnessed on TV of Americans, they seem to have a real attitude problem in the area of assertiveness. They seem to feel the need to exude aggression, even to the slightest stranger interaction. Not only do I recognise laughable 'Machoism' in their male populous, the women also seem over-masculine and antagonistic in almost any mundane everyday situation.

Always up for a fight - would be my description of modern-day USA. NOT always a good trait in my mind. Disagree at your leisure, if you so please. Ugh ugh ugh . . .

Just calm the fu©k down!

And - no. I would not approve of the above premise!

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Answer 10

I'm quite happy living on Craggy Island. But I do like Harvey Keitel.