Saturday, 25 February 2017

US Could Join In British Commonwealth As An Associate Member

commonwealth

Michael Lake, Director of the Society, wrote to the new US administration to gauge their interest in the idea at the end of last year.

The Society wants to build on the special relationship between Britain and America, and use the new US administration to strengthen ties.

It could even help foster friendly relations ahead of a post-Brexit trade deal.

Donald Trump is set to meet the Queen in an official state visit to the UK later this year – and has previously said that his Scottish mother is a big fan of the monarch.

Steve Bannon, the President’s chief strategist, thinks the Commonwealth alliance fits in with the new President’s foreign policy outlook.

It is thought that the new branch could spring up in New York – after similar ones have been set up in Helsinki and other non-Commonwealth countries.

commonwealth

Mr Lake went on: “Given the nature of the special relationship, given the fact that we have obviously played a long standing relationships with the US, I would hope there would be quite a breadth of interest” for a branch of the Society.

And as Britain gears up to leave the EU, such relationships could help lay the groundwork for a trade deal.

Mr Lake said that “knowing your neighbours better” would be solid way to boost support for an arrangement.

Mr Wigmore told The Telegraph the response to to the idea of a Commonwealth Society branch was “very positive”.

Mr Lake said the idea had been “warmly welcomed” but he had yet to get an official response from President Trump’s team.

He is seeking out a “champion” for the branch, which would have to write to and get a formal confirmation from the Society.

There are currently 52 members of The Commonwealth of Nations from Asia to Europe.

The Queen is still head of state of a number of the countries – and the Royals make regular visits overseas.

All members – most of which are former territories of the British Empire – have to subscribe to the organisation’s values of free speech, democracy, human rights and the rule of law.


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