Should Ireland rejoin the Commonwealth?

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

partyguinness wrote: »

Nothing to do with Nationalistic idealism..this guy is not happy about being born in Ireland and his Irish citizenship and seems to want to change it if he could.

Now if you had bothered to read his posts you prob would have figured that out yourself..;)

What he posted is irrelevant. I was responding to the first line of what YOU posted.

Why would you call someone - ANYONE - "self-hating" for stating that they had no feelings for their nation? The "self" and the "nation" are two completly different things that you seem to have combined. i.e. - a person's disliking for or criticism of their nationalitiy is the same as dislinking one's self...?

As I've said, I've no real feelings for Ireland but would never consider switching nationality, but this has **** all to do with how I feel about myself as a person; and I hate it when people imply that it does.

Can'tseeme

All sounds a bit self defeatist. Is Ireland still not one of the wealthiest countries in the world GDP?

One things for sure, the border is costing the economy a fortune.

esharknz

thebman wrote: »

Wanting Ireland to join the Commonwealth because you couldn't be bothered to follow the procedure to gain citizenship in that country is not a good enough reason for me to say we should join the Commonwealth.

If only this were true....I'm struggling to think of the countries that are members of the commonwealth that are actually British subjects these days.
Australians/New Zealanders used to be British subjects, but established their own respective citizenships 60 years ago.

Being a commonwealth citizen doesn't do much for me.

partyguinness

Fratton Fred wrote: »

Why exactly would Ireland be giving up its national identity? are you suggesting India or Nigeria have then?

You might want to find out a bit about the commonwealth before you are so flippant about it.



Really? the traders I am working with think that Britain not being in the euro is the only thing keeping it going, especially considering all the EU countries that ****ed up their economies would be coming cap in hand (again) to Britain if it were in the eurozone.

Seriously mate, what planet are you on? Do you not read!!

Have you been following the Germany vs Britain economic debate..where Germany is livid at what Britain was done to itself....

where do you think all the cheap credit in Britain came from???...here is a little clue..it starts with the letter "G" and it has a female chancellor...and now Britain wants Germany to bail it...and you have some neck (albeit ill informed) to go on about countries in the Eurozone have *** economies..serious case of pot..kettle...black...lol

partyguinness

Ikky Poo2 wrote: »

What he posted is irrelevant. I was responding to the first line of what YOU posted.

Why would you call someone - ANYONE - "self-hating" for stating that they had no feelings for their nation? The "self" and the "nation" are two completly different things that you seem to have combined. i.e. - a person's disliking for or criticism of their nationalitiy is the same as dislinking one's self...?

As I've said, I've no real feelings for Ireland but would never consider switching nationality, but this has **** all to do with how I feel about myself as a person; and I hate it when people imply that it does.

What...?? his posts are irrelevant??? You cant be serious..

My post was a direct response to what he posted so it is very relevant..you have blatantly decided to take my post completely out of context to make your own point..:rolleyes:

The rest of your post does not deserve a reply after that show of self serving pompacity.

Fratton Fred

gurramok wrote: »

Remove Queen Elizabeth as Head of the British Commonwealth!

which is something Ireland can do, if it joins. the Queen is invited to be the symbolic head of the commenwealth and has no rights over the member countries. The Secretary general is currently Indian, who succeeded a Kiwi.

gurramok wrote: »

I'd rather be in a 'European Commonwealth' than a British one as after all, we are more European than British.

You keep telling yourself that mate, if it makes you feel better

partyguinness wrote: »

One word...Zimbabwe

The Commonwealth continues to shower itself in full regal glory...:):)

Does the illegal invasions of foreign countires i.e. Iraq, Afganistan consitute the "the rejection of international coercion":)

God bless the Brits..they are certainly good for a laugh..lol

what the **** has any of that got to do with the commonwealth?

I do now see your problem with joining though, it is more a chip on your shoulder with britain and your own prejudices than anything to do with the commonwealth.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

partyguinness wrote: »

What...?? his posts are irrelevant??? You cant be serious..

My post was a direct response to what he posted so it is very relevant..you have blatantly decided to take my post completely out of context to make your own point..:rolleyes:

The rest of your post does not deserve a reply after that show of self serving pompacity.

"Self-serving pompacity..."!? If that's not hiding behind rehortic bull**** I don't knoe what is!

And his posts were NOT relevant. I don;t care what context you were talking in, you likened a lack of nationalism to hating oneself as an individual. Which is bull****.

If you really want to bring his posts into it, show we where he said he disliked himself.

Fratton Fred

partyguinness wrote: »

Seriously mate, what planet are you on? Do you not read!!

Have you been following the Germany vs Britain economic debate..where Germany is livid at what Britain was done to itself....

where do you think all the cheap credit in Britain came from???...here is a little clue..it starts with the letter "G" and it has a female chancellor...and now Britain wants Germany to bail it...and you have some neck (albeit ill informed) to go on about countries in the Eurozone have *** economies..serious case of pot..kettle...black...lol

its irrelevant to this debate, but a link would be nice.

i didn't know there was a chancellor in the US.

partyguinness

Ikky Poo2 wrote: »

"Self-serving pompacity..."!? If that's not hiding behind rehortic bull**** I don't knoe what is!

And his posts were NOT relevant. I don;t care what context you were talking in, you likened a lack of nationalism to hating oneself as an individual. Which is bull****.

No I did not lliken a lack of Irish Nationalism to self hating...it was a question re citizenhsip and the lack of control thereof...my post related to his moaning about not being able to control his (Irish) citizenship with the implication that joining the Commonwealth he could take up British citizenship.

But, and let me get this right....you dont care what context I meant it in.....now you have just proved and admitted my last point..you have blantantly decided to take me out of context and completely misrepresent my post to back up our own point. You are in fact arguing with yourself...lol:pac::pac:

What age are you?

ps Do yourself a favour and learn the meaning of the word "rhetoric"..;)

Nodin

Fratton Fred wrote: »

what's that got to do with anything?

It was a device to withdraw from Empire with the delusion of dignity. It's members are united only in having been invaded by a Foreign power. They do not act as a political block. On the few occassions they develop a joint position, the British feel free to ignore them. The EU, though a flawed beast, is a far far more egalitarian grouping than this relic.

Fratton Fred wrote: »

the Queen is invited to be the symbolic head of the commenwealth

Personally, I reject the idea of qualification for symbolic head being by having fallen out of the right womb.

Fratton Fred wrote: »

Really? the traders I am working with think that Britain not being in the euro is the only thing keeping it going, especially considering all the EU countries that ****ed up their economies would be coming cap in hand (again) to Britain if it were in the eurozone.

......because no-one on the continent can grasp the concept of "exchange rate"? Silly talk. Britain is in a worse state than many of the EU nations.

partyguinness

Fratton Fred wrote: »

its irrelevant to this debate, but a link would be nice.

i didn't know there was a chancellor in the US.

Please no more...I am embarressed for you..:o

partyguinness

Fratton Fred wrote: »

which is something Ireland can do, if it joins. the Queen is invited to be the symbolic head of the commenwealth and has no rights over the member countries. The Secretary general is currently Indian, who succeeded a Kiwi.



You keep telling yourself that mate, if it makes you feel better



what the **** has any of that got to do with the commonwealth?

I do now see your problem with joining though, it is more a chip on your shoulder with britain and your own prejudices than anything to do with the commonwealth.

Do yourself a favour and read post #45..that might bring you up to speed...

Fratton Fred

Nodin wrote: »

It was a device to withdraw from Empire with the delusion of dignity. It's members are united only in having been invaded by a Foreign power. They do not act as a political block. On the few occassions they develop a joint position, the British feel free to ignore them. The EU, though a flawed beast, is a far far more egalitarian grouping than this relic.

to an extent, yes it is. it is probably better than the alternatives.

Nodin wrote: »

......because no-one on the continent can grasp the concept of "exchange rate"? Silly talk. Britain is in a worse state than many of the EU nations.

like who?

partyguinness wrote: »

Please no more...I am embarressed for you..:o

well educate me then, send me a link to where Germany is being begged by the UK to bail it out.

Fratton Fred

partyguinness wrote: »

Do yourself a favour and read post #45..that might bring you up to speed...

you don't want to join the commonwealth because of Pakistan and India in Kashmir?

OK.....

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

partyguinness wrote: »

No I did not lliken a lack of Irish Nationalism to self hating...it was a question re citizenhsip and the lack of control thereof...my post related to his moaning about not being able to control his (Irish) citizenship with the implication that joining the Commonwealth he could take up British citizenship.

Then what were you likening self hating when you said "Oh dear..the "I am a self hating Irish man" forum is that way ---->>"? Why type it then? the rest of your post seems to be more anti-Brit than pro-Irish. "Post colonial clap trap"? "Reassuring Unionists"? "Giving them one-third of the tricolour"?

But, and let me get this right....you dont care what context I meant it in.....now you have just proved and admitted my last point..you have blantantly decided to take me out of context and completely misrepresent my post to back up our own point. You are in fact arguing with yourself...lol:pac::pac:

It was quoted alone because it doesn't fit with the rest of your post, not because it's out of context.

What age are you?

Does it matter?

ps Do yourself a favour and learn the meaning of the word "rhetoric"..;)

Rhetoric - (in writing or speech) the undue use of exaggeration or display; bombast.

thebman

Fratton Fred wrote: »

you don't want to join the commonwealth because of Pakistan and India in Kashmir?

OK.....

Sorry but the people in favor of joining the commonwealth have yet to put forward real points on what we will benefit from it other than easy access for people who don't want to be Irish citizens to gain citizenship elsewhere.

I don't see the benefit. We are in the EU and already have access to a massive market that 4 million people can't hope to run out of people to sell their products to.

Joining another union of nations is not going to help us significantly, economically IMO. We already have a special relationship with Britain anyway so why do we need to join the Commonwealth? Britain is perfectly willing to work closely with us outside of it.

partyguinness

Fratton Fred wrote: »

you don't want to join the commonwealth because of Pakistan and India in Kashmir?

OK.....

The point being highlighted is the hypocracy of the so called Commonwealth...:rolleyes:..honestly, you are tiresome..are you in a nursing home?;)

Educate you?...I am afraid that is your responsibilty...I am not your teacher..:pac:

Nodin

Fratton Fred wrote: »

like who?

Germany and France. Britain will be the hardest Western state hit, more than likely, with ourselves not far behind.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/imf-predicts-uk-will-be-hardest-hit-1518588.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2009/mar/06/houseprices-housingmarket
http://www.silobreaker.com/DocumentReader.aspx?Item=5_2262160671741313024

acontadino

if that was to happen i would leave ireland in a flash. the EU for all its problems is where the future is at for Ireland.

I just wish UK either adopts Euro, or just leaves EU altogether.

oscarBravo

partyguinness wrote: »

The point being highlighted is the hypocracy of the so called Commonwealth...:rolleyes:..honestly, you are tiresome..are you in a nursing home?;)

Educate you?...I am afraid that is your responsibilty...I am not your teacher..:pac:

I strongly suggest you either raise the quality of your contributions, or refrain from contributing.

Several others could do with taking a deep breath before posting, too.

Fratton Fred

thebman wrote: »

Sorry but the people in favor of joining the commonwealth have yet to put forward real points on what we will benefit from it other than easy access for people who don't want to be Irish citizens to gain citizenship elsewhere.

I don't see the benefit. We are in the EU and already have access to a massive market that 4 million people can't hope to run out of people to sell their products to.

Joining another union of nations is not going to help us significantly, economically IMO. We already have a special relationship with Britain anyway so why do we need to join the Commonwealth? Britain is perfectly willing to work closely with us outside of it.

There is no real benefit. Irish citizens have been offered the same status as commonwealth citizens for years now and it really only benefits the poorer nations (maybe in 12 months or so it may help then:D) and the aussies who get to pick up lots of medals at the commonwealth games.

The commonwealth does do a lot of work in poorer countries with regards aid and development work, a lot of which is performed by the Canadians and Australians.

It does piss me off when people see the commonwealth and think that joinging it would be like rejoining the empire, but a lot of those people still think we are living in 916, so it doesn't really surprise me.

partyguinness

Ikky Poo2 wrote: »

Then what were you likening self hating when you said "Oh dear..the "I am a self hating Irish man" forum is that way ---->>"? Why type it then? the rest of your post seems to be more anti-Brit than pro-Irish. "Post colonial clap trap"? "Reassuring Unionists"? "Giving them one-third of the tricolour"?


It was quoted alone because it doesn't fit with the rest of your post, not because it's out of context.


Does it matter?





Rhetoric - (in writing or speech) the undue use of exaggeration or display; bombast.

To be honest as you continue to misrepresent my posts I am not going to waste any more of my time with you unless you are actually going to make a valid point about the topic in hand.

partyguinness

oscarBravo wrote: »

I strongly suggest you either raise the quality of your contributions, or refrain from contributing.

Several others could do with taking a deep breath before posting, too.

*yawn*:rolleyes:

Fratton Fred

partyguinness wrote: »

Educate you?...I am afraid that is your responsibilty...I am not your teacher..:pac:

so you can't find me a link to something "The dogs on the street know"? are you fibbing...just a little bit?

Nodin wrote: »

Germany and France. Britain will be the hardest Western state hit, more than likely, with ourselves not far behind.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/imf-predicts-uk-will-be-hardest-hit-1518588.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2009/mar/06/houseprices-housingmarket
http://www.silobreaker.com/DocumentReader.aspx?Item=5_2262160671741313024

Stop the press, the outlook is bleak.

Germany are probably in a better state then the UK, but they will be dragged down by the eurozone countries, like Ireland, Holland and Spain, who actually are begging Germany for help.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

partyguinness wrote: »

To be honest as you continue to misrepresent my posts I am not going to waste any more of my time with you unless you are actually going to make a valid point about the topic in hand.

...well then you need to represent them better yourself and actually think about what you're writing. My points have been made, yours has not been defended. Like others, it's been met with :pac: , :rolleyes: and 'profound' statements like

partyguinness wrote: »

*yawn*:rolleyes:

in order to pretend that you have some sort of moral highground as if your word is beyond reproach.

Sorry, but that's not the case.

partyguinness

Fratton Fred wrote: »

There is no real benefit. Irish citizens have been offered the same status as commonwealth citizens for years now and it really only benefits the poorer nations (maybe in 12 months or so it may help then:D) and the aussies who get to pick up lots of medals at the commonwealth games.

The commonwealth does do a lot of work in poorer countries with regards aid and development work, a lot of which is performed by the Canadians and Australians.

It does piss me off when people see the commonwealth and think that joinging it would be like rejoining the empire, but a lot of those people still think we are living in 916, so it doesn't really surprise me.

If there is no real benefit then why join?

Seems like a pointless exercise?

Considering its origins, is it any wonder that people see it akin to rejoininig the Empire (I would like to add that Ireland never joined the "Empire" it was forced upon the country so to say we would rejoin is slightly dubious)

Fratton Fred

partyguinness wrote: »

If there is no real benefit then why join?

Seems like a pointless exercise?

from an irish perspective, I would say the only benefit is extending an olive branch to the unionists.

partyguinness wrote: »

Considering its origins, is it any wonder that people see it akin to rejoininig the Empire (I would like to add that Ireland never joined the "Empire" it was forced upon the country so to say we would rejoin is slightly dubious)

Ireland was never actually part of the empire, but that is a different subject.

There are well over one billion people who are happy to be in the commonwealth plus the ones who were never part of the "Empire".

What makes Ireland so different?

Communicationb

surely there is a better argument than "well if its good enough for them then it should be good enough for us"

Fratton Fred

Communicationb wrote: »

surely there is a better argument than "well if its good enough for them then it should be good enough for us"

That is not a reason to join, that is a reason not to slag it off.

As I said, the only reason I can see for Ireland to join is symbolic.

T runner

Fratton Fred wrote: »

From an irish perspective, I would say the only benefit is extending an olive branch to the unionists.

That is not a good enough reason for doing something that is clearly wrong.
We don't need to go back to the dark ages now just to pacify unionism.

Ireland was never actually part of the empire, but that is a different subject.

Before the Act of Union surely it would have been counted by the British as a colony of the British empire?

There are well over one billion people who are happy to be in the commonwealth plus the ones who were never part of the "Empire".

I very much doubt that.

What makes Ireland so different?

Even last century Ireland realised Empire, commonwealth etc was a bit last century. We were the first member of the commonwealth to derive full citizenship for our citizens before we left.
[/QUOTE]

I guess we dont like being subservient to other countries after our bad experiences. Britain doesnt particularly like being subservient to other countries either but doesnt seem to have a problem with the principle of subservience when they are the controlling state.

The whole principle is flawed.

Soldie

There seems to be some confusion emanating from some posters as to what the Commonwealth is, and what it represents. Here is a column published by the BBC yesterday, which gives a brief timeline of the Commonwealth and draws attention to the differences in its goals and activities between now and the time of its inception.

The biggest misnomer seems to be that the Commonwealth is a symbol of oppression, and joining it would be a betrayal of our history, and a sign of submission. Naively, I had no intention for this thread to be hi-jacked by armchair republicans putting forth a straw man argument. The Commonwealth regards each country as having an equal status, and indeed, the current secretary-general and chairperson are Indian and Ugandan, respectively. It is not run by the UK, nor is the UK considered as being more important than any other members.

To clarify; the Commonwealth is an international forum featuring some of the bigger economies in the world (such as the Australia, Canada, India, the UK, etc.), and its goals and activities involve the promotion of democracy, free trade, individual liberty, etc. Again, it is an international forum, not a club for waving Union Jacks and eating prawn sandwiches.

For what it's worth, I don't necessarily agree nor disagree with rejoining the Commonwealth - I merely thought it was fitting to start a discussion on Commonwealth Day, on the merits of Ireland rejoining a forum it left 60 years ago.

Our man in Havana

A good enough reason. It won't effect 99.9999% of the population.

Fratton Fred

T runner wrote: »

I guess we dont like being subservient to other countries after our bad experiences. Britain doesnt particularly like being subservient to other countries either but doesnt seem to have a problem with the principle of subservience when they are the controlling state.

The whole principle is flawed.

As Soldie has clerly pointed out, there is no question of subservience, all members are equal. Of the members countries, many have their own crowned heads of states and i believe 32 are republics.

Now that you understand the commonwealth, tell me what is flawed with it?

thebman

Fratton Fred wrote: »

from an irish perspective, I would say the only benefit is extending an olive branch to the unionists.



Ireland was never actually part of the empire, but that is a different subject.

There are well over one billion people who are happy to be in the commonwealth plus the ones who were never part of the "Empire".

What makes Ireland so different?

Well we are already (majority of people) happy to be part of another union, the EU for one thing.

Britain is also in the EU but is euroskeptic in many ways that Ireland is not.

The Irish want to be part of the EU not the Commonwealth. There isn't a significant benefit to being part of both so why bother? I trust the EU with our economy and want them to have more control over it TBH. I want that to be the future for Ireland.

If joining the Commonwealth would solve our current economic woes, I'd be for it but it won't that I can see anyway. As for pleasing Unionists, I don't think it would make any difference to the way they see Ireland or the Irish.

Nodin

Fratton Fred wrote: »

Stop the press, the outlook is bleak.,

...and bleaker for Britain than for others. Despite the commonwealth.

Fratton Fred wrote: »

Germany are probably in a better state then the UK,

I know. Thats what I said. The idea that "sterling" is some form of talisman against whats happening is essentially magical thinking, probably coming from the same crowd that said it would collapse in disaster years ago wanting to be proved right for not wanting to join.

Fratton Fred wrote: »

but they will be dragged down by the eurozone countries

If it did happen it would be 'by other Eurozone countries'. The DM is no longer extant.

However its more likely they will give aid in this time of need, and survive with far less social turmoil than here or Britain. Thats what the EU is for, after all, mutual aid to avoid war and conflict, not wave around the ghost of Empire.

Fratton Fred wrote: »

Holland

Theres no such country in the EU.

diverdriver

This and other threads always highlight people who are very confused about their Irish identity. People who seem to think that hating the Brits is being 'patriotic'. But wanting the best for your country and disliking what it has become is somehow unpatriotic and self hatred.

This country is in mess, in truth it's been a mess since we became independant. The British didn't do it, we did it to ourselves. A lot of people can't see it, years of anti British propaganda has seen to that. It suited the leaders of this country because it deflected a lot of criticism away from them. Until now that is.

What we should do is grow up as a people and try and have some pride in being Irish in a positive way rather than constant negative reinforcement. The Canadians, Aussies and New Zealanders seem well able to do it. Yet they had to invent their own identity. Our identity is as old as any in the world. I can point to a possible ancestor a thousand years ago, my family name was mentioned at the Battle of Clontarf (on the Irish side). Many of us can do the same. Yet we don't seem to know what to do with it other than to have a go at the Brits.

So we need to do what's best for the people of this country, whatever that might be. If joining the Commonwealth helps then so be it. If not, then we shouldn't. If your sole argument against joining is that it's British then you are not doing anyone a favour. It's the same for anything, we should do what's best for this country. Knee jerk anti Britishness has held us back for years. Move on for everyone's sake.

ChocolateSauce

We should rejoin.

turgon

It all comes down to the fact that many people dont define Irish culture as something of its own making, instead they just try to make it the culture that is not British.

Its an inferiority complex maybe. Certainly if all the Irish nationalists were really as confident in Ireland as they preach then they'd have no bother joining the commonwealth, because if Ireland is so great and strong how could it be in any way subverted by Britain?

Nodin

An opposition to something thats a legacy of Emprire is not nessecarily an "Irish" position. Opposition to Monarchy is not nessecarily an "Irish" position.

Fratton Fred wrote:

As Soldie has clerly pointed out, there is no question of subservience, all members are equal. Of the members countries, many have their own crowned heads of states and i believe 32 are republics.

..so we'll being seeing a female African monarch as 'symbolic' head when?

Kev_ps3

I would consider it, only if they gave back the north and apoligised for 800 years of rape and murder with the odd genocide thrown in;)

Our man in Havana

We don't want the north back.

Kev_ps3

Bond-007 wrote: »

We don't want the north back.

Well I know Unionists dont:pac:

Fratton Fred

Nodin wrote: »

...and bleaker for Britain than for others. Despite the commonwealth.

I know. Thats what I said. The idea that "sterling" is some form of talisman against whats happening is essentially magical thinking, probably coming from the same crowd that said it would collapse in disaster years ago wanting to be proved right for not wanting to join.

If it did happen it would be 'by other Eurozone countries'. The DM is no longer extant.

However its more likely they will give aid in this time of need, and survive with far less social turmoil than here or Britain. Thats what the EU is for, after all, mutual aid to avoid war and conflict, not wave around the ghost of Empire.

Theres no such country in the EU.

Sterling isn't a talisman, but its weak position is helping the Uk economy at the moment, if Britain were in the euro it would probably be in an even worse position.

The EU has nothing to do with the Commonwealth, it is a red herring and tbh is nothing more than an excuse for a bit of Brit bashing.

EU aid has been mentioned on these boards many times, but where is it going to come from? the EU draws its money from the member states, none of which has no money at the moment. OK, Germany may be in a better position than the UK, but we are talking marginally less deep levels of ****e here, their economy is forecast to shrink by not much less than the UK's and they have only just got over the mess unification left them in.

Britain gets nothing from the commonwealth, its membership is a throw back to the Empire, in fact it costs Britain a serious amount of money every year, so for britain membership is a hinderance.

Fratton Fred

Kev_ps3 wrote: »

I would consider it, only if they gave back the north and apoligised for 800 years of rape and murder with the odd genocide thrown in;)

only when the Irish apologise for Westlife, Boyzone and Bewitched:D

turgon

Kev_ps3 wrote: »

I would consider it, only if they gave back the north and apoligised for 800 years of rape and murder with the odd genocide thrown in;)

The commonwealth doesnt have the north, nor were they ever occupying Ireland.

Does every thread with even a wiff of the letters UK have to always be derailed?

thebman

Fratton Fred wrote: »

only when the Irish apologise for Westlife, Boyzone and Bewitched:D

Now that is below the belt! :pac:

We'll join if we can get a commitment that those shower of idiots will be banished from Ireland forever! :P

dragonkin

I'd like Ireland to be able to take part in the commonwealth games!

Our man in Havana

Kev_ps3 wrote: »

Well I know Unionists dont:pac:

There are loads of unionists in the republic don't ya know.

Nodin

Fratton Fred wrote: »

The EU has nothing to do with the Commonwealth, it is a red herring and tbh is nothing more than an excuse for a bit of Brit bashing..

Not at all. It's an example of a modern democratic multi-national modern alliance of states, as oppossed to the legacy of an Empire with a monarch as titular head. Throwing in "brit bashing" is the only red herring here.

Fratton Fred wrote: »

Britain gets nothing from the commonwealth, its membership is a throw back to the Empire, .

...as has been pointed out.

It's hardly the kind of thing the country should turn to. Australian and NZ have been there for many years now, and thats their business, but it has nothing to offer a modern European state seeking to move on in the 21st century.

SeanW

From an irish perspective, I would say the only benefit is extending an olive branch to the unionists.

And even that is a fairly thin case.

Soldie wrote: »

The biggest misnomer seems to be that the Commonwealth is a symbol of oppression, and joining it would be a betrayal of our history, and a sign of submission. ... The Commonwealth regards each country as having an equal status, and indeed, the current secretary-general and chairperson are Indian and Ugandan, respectively. It is not run by the UK, nor is the UK considered as being more important than any other members.

To clarify; the Commonwealth is an international forum featuring some of the bigger economies in the world (such as the Australia, Canada, India, the UK, etc.), and its goals and activities involve the promotion of democracy, free trade, individual liberty, etc. Again, it is an international forum, not a club for waving Union Jacks and eating prawn sandwiches.

Ok first of all, you need to reevaluate your inclusion of Australia and Canada.

In the first place, Australians really don't have their own identity. They still have the UK Monarch as their Head of State (and this position was reinforced by a nationwide referendum about 12 years ago), their flag has a union jack occupying the upper left quarter (as does New Zealand) AND they still print a picture of the UK Monarch on their money AFAIK. Their accent is almost indistinguishable from certain London accents.
Canada also still puts the Queen's standard on their money as well, though I believe a lot of Canadian deference to the U.K. comes from a peaceful sucession (independence) agreement that may still be legally binding.

Assuming that your interpretation of the British Commonwealth is true, answer for me two questions:
1) Why is the British Monarch still the figurehead of the whole thing?
2) Why are they not having this "rejoin the Commonwealth" debate in countries like Belgium, Holland, Mexico, etc?

diverdriver wrote: »

People who seem to think that hating the Brits is being 'patriotic'. But wanting the best for your country and disliking what it has become is somehow unpatriotic and self hatred ... It's the same for anything, we should do what's best for this country. Knee jerk anti Britishness has held us back for years. Move on for everyone's sake.

Straw man. If you want to talk about "hating the Brits" I think there are some active dissident Republicans in Northern Ireland that might be able to help you out.

My opposition to Ireland rejoining the Commonwealth comes from two grounds.
1) I don't like monarchies in general: with the advent of democracy, I think monarchies belong in the Middle Ages
2) The Commonwealth in particular has all the hallmarks of a sop to the Empire. Look at it's history and composition. There really isn't any other explanation.

For Ireland to rejoin such an institution, I would need some very strong justification and evidenced reasoning for doing this given it's background. You're going to need something more than cries of 'let's show that we've grown up' or taunts of "Armchair republicans" or "hating the Brits"