Britain's Alliances?

Question

Should Britain have closer ties with the EU and share laws (even though the cultures differ greatly and thus each individual nation has different interests), or with English-speaking countries, such as the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. I'm starting to think that the latter would better fit Britain's needs. What do you think and why?

[[ Don't have a go at me if you do not share my beliefs. I want to have an intelligent discussion about this. Thanks ]]

trouble_906 :- Sorry for this mistake. Its just that we get a lot of New Zealanders and South Africans over here in London and I just assumed that their first language was English, since they all seem to speak it fluently. An honest mistake, but the question still stands. The other English-speaking countries? That might include Ireland, but I'm not sure if their official language is Gaelic.

Answer 1

Britain will fall, Ireland will be your master soon

Answer 2

It seems that since joining th EU our costs have gone up, when you think of what we pay to be a member (purely because Britain is one of the most productive country in the EU, and the more money you make, the more you pay) When Britain joined France,Germany Belgium where in a poor state, that's why we ended up with "butter mountains,Wine mountains" as we were paying for them to produce them.
Had we continued trading with the New world countries i believe we would now be much better off after all Australia, New Zealand America,Canada are all very productive countries, and none of them have the chips on their shoulders like most of the countries in the EU, who don't not have a lot of time for Britain. I believe at the time our government wanted to join Europe together to try and prevent the troubles of the past !00yrs, and were not interested in the cost to Britain, Lets face it we don't seem to have gain from it as a country, we have immigration problems, heavy taxation and of resent years, every EU countries population wanting to head here, and since the old eastern bloc counties join, the flood has become a torrent, this wouldn't be so bad, but its affecting our job and wages, and the government has no real true figures as to who is here. At the end of the day i'm sure things will work out for Britian, but i also beleive that for Mr Average, we would have been far better off with the new world. Thats my view, but who can prove i'm right, we will never know.

Answer 3

The EU to Britain is akin to having very bad neighbours. The majority of the EU detests with a vegeance what the UK stands for and represents. Why would you want closer ties with these nations?

The European Parliament is a populated by 'disgraced and disused' politicians, trying to justify their positions and exorbitant salaries by discussing meaningless garbage. Why do we need to be associated with this? Its hardly an exclusive club any longer!

These days cultures play no role in any sort of alliances, its all about what the 'fat cats' can cream off. Why would we limit our alliances to English speaking countries? There are many nations out there that have lots to offer both in terms of culture and business opportunities, however they are intimidated by the 'heavy-handed' tactics of developed countries.

Efforts should be focussed on nations that are prepared to reciprocate, you will not find these in the EU!

Answer 4

I am not scared of the EU.

There is a lot to be gained by cooperating with numerous countries that are geographically close to each other.

I feel no need to choose to align ourselves more favourabley with one group over another for what seems to be sentimental reasons more than anything else.

We've already seen how one sided our so called "special relationship" with the USA is, why would we wish to subjugate the nation yet further. The UK could be a dominant power within the EU if it only stopped playing around on the edges and engaged more actively.

Answer 5

The population of South Africa is round about 28 million. Less then 1 million have English as a first language. About 3 million have Afrikaans as a first language, and the rest divide the 9 official African tongues amongst them. Don't figure that for an English speaking country

Answer 6

Britain can group itself with only USA and Canada,economically and culture wise.If you say English speaking as a basis for unity,English is a world language and it is spoken in most of the part of the world.Even in China English is spreading fast.There is a group called Commonwealth ,including all earstwhile colonies of UK.If you see the past UK was powerful when it was having links with Asian and African countries and not when it was near to USA or EU.The truth is that UK has nothing to give USA,and it is a taker fromUS.If UK want to restore its past glory it has to renew its trade,export and relations to African,Asian countries,China and Japan.UK can sell their technology and products to these countries.It is unfortunate that there is no Economist in UK to point out this to the Government.
USA has already realised the opportunities in emerging economies,and I am sure UK will miss the opportunity due to lack of political leadership.

Answer 7

I am an Australian. Winston Churchill wanted a union of the English speaking world. It would have made a lot of sense as the English speaking blood that flowed from the UK formed the basis of stable decent growing countries. It sounds racist and therefore not acceptable, but not nurturing the basic source of our strengh will lead to its eventual failure.

Answer 8

Is it the case that Britain has a honorary club of SEATO, relationship from no longer too earlier as quickly as we had protection rigidity bases out that way? (Singapore, Hong Kong, et c, which was once ours). The previous colonial hyperlinks with New Zealand and Australia ought to intend we nevertheless have the SEATO connection, too.

Answer 9

I think the UK will gain alot more when she co-operates more with her neighbours ... surely there will be compromise where there is a conflict of interests.

For example, logistics-wise, everything will be easier because of their proximity in geography.

Ties with countries far away, only becuase of a common language, doesn't seem that good of an excuse tbh.

Answer 10

I think it would be a really good idea if England formed a united queendom with Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Oh forgot, Braveheart has scuppered that idea already - thanks Mel. We've had it now.