Could we see the end of the British Commonwealth?

"Democracy, human rights and sustainability are things that have run through the Commonwealth from the beginning".

Former diplomat Simon McDonald, Sue Onslow from the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, and Associate Political Editor at The Times Henry Zeffman discuss the upcoming meeting of Commonwealth leaders with Matt Chorley.

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[YBA]

We could see the end of the UK itself soon!

[robertmiller]

To be honest, who would notice? Or mind?

[michaelmazowiecki]

It is an anachronism, a throwback to an Empire that no longer exists. It's a talking shop but really little else.

[chrisbrown]

There is no such thing as the British Commonwealth. Do try and keep up, it has been known as THE COMMONWEALTH since 1949

[AlistairKiwi]

The current royal family doesn't seem to be bothered with us in the Commonwealth. Her Majesty made us such an important part of her reign. In the Commonweath we were taught that Britain was the be all & end all. Then Brexit happened. Suddenly, we all knew that Brit people were not sensible.

[davidhall]

That guy was definitely diplomatic - to the point where he didnt offer a definitive on anything whatsoever 😂

[USA_]

Let's keep global cooperation going strong 💪😎🇺🇳🇪🇺🇬🇧🇺🇲
Let's preserve the British Commonwealth ☺️👍

[waterboys]

I have lived in four Commonwealth countries and it can be a useful organization. AUKUS would not have happened but for the Commonwealth. People living in London don't get it. Many supposed internationalists have a very Eurocentric worldview and would rather deal with white-run countries. I have done M&A deals in Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic. This is easier in many Commonwealth countries because there is a shared business culture. There are similar legal, tax, and accounting rules, and everybody speaks English. Students from many Commonwealth countries gravitate to the UK. Britain does not make the most of the commonwealth because of the snobbery that exists.

[cobbler]

Perhaps the monarchy could go at the same time ?

[USA_]

I pray for the British Commonwealth to last as long as possible 🙏🕉️✝️✡️☺️👍🇺🇲🇬🇧🇪🇺🇺🇳

[mikeburke]

Togo and Gabon just joined its not dying

[nromk]

Not only that.... The Commonwealth has competition from all over the place. Regional blocs and the abolition of the monarchy and new international blocs are going to end the Commonwealth.

[Putnamsmif]

How lucky that the Commonwealth meeting is in Rwanda! Boris could take some refugees on his plane? I'm sure he won't mind, and it might save a few quid.

[CJ-gnqm]

Lovely to see a diplomat being diplomatic!

[carlinggreen]

Canada here. We're in as long as our Queen reigns. She is great. After that all bets are off. We can still hang but what's the real point of it anymore? UK has so much heavy work to do and no visible leadership at all. The Kingdowm itself might be irrelevant too.

[sergueimikhail]

How you can have a future led by more equal than others Boriska, Tony the Knight and the global laundromat in London?

[RS-sjfb]

It's not the ''British'' Commonwealth; it is ''the Commonwealth''. The interviewer's ignorance of the most basic facts about the Commonwealth is borderline offensive . Boris Johnson as de facto head of the Commonwealth? Good grief, talk about clueless questions by the interviewer.

[PeterJohnJnb]

a relevance problem. I think my generation (I am 42, from South Africa), we of "get" the Commonwealth because of our grandparents who fought for the British etc, but the generation after mine...not so much.

[forksandspoons]

Canadian chiming in. The only relevance being a member of the commonwealth has to me on a daily basis is the picture on my money. I'd vote for the face that could make it worth what it used to be worth. I can tell you this, if my taxes went directly to supporting rich people being ridiculous in their entitlement, I wouldn't exactly be happy about it.

[dylanmurphy]

This silly video was made the same month that 2 African countries decided to join 😅
Commonwealth is getting stronger, not weaker