Celebrate peace 'by letting Ireland join the Commonwealth' - British MP

super_furry · 22-04-2014 01:16PM

Would there be any real and tangible benefits to Ireland if we did join? Economically or otherwise.

Amirani · 22-04-2014 01:18PM

pconn062 wrote: »

They give three medals for a reason you know...

And they're different colours for a reason you know...

It's not that difficult to understand that the person who got gold won the race, everyone else lost.

Duckworth_Luas · 22-04-2014 01:26PM

super_furry wrote: »

Would there be any real and tangible benefits to Ireland if we did join? Economically or otherwise.

I think all our Olympic loser medals would be automatically upgraded to golds.

5live · 22-04-2014 01:29PM

Maybe we should celebrate peace by letting england join the republic?:D

Spook_ie · 22-04-2014 01:37PM

Duckworth_Luas wrote: »

I think all our Olympic loser medals would be automatically upgraded to golds.

Might get the athletes a bit more practice against world class opposition, Bolts running in this years CW games in Scotland.

We could even host the games, well maybe not because we'd need some sporting arenas!

Happyman42 · 22-04-2014 01:45PM

I wish somebody could come up with a list of benefits that were a little less whimsical.
The people wanting to get back into favour with royals are not the ones that are a threat to the peace, the British presence here, is and always was the 'threat' to peace.
The more Republics that join this anachronism, the more that anachronistic system of privilege and monarchy will survive. As republicans we should be against it.

Karl Stein · 22-04-2014 02:02PM

Get ta fuck.

Jawgap · 22-04-2014 02:07PM

Happyman42 wrote: »

I wish somebody could come up with a list of benefits that were a little less whimsical.
The people wanting to get back into favour with royals are not the ones that are a threat to the peace, the British presence here, is and always was the 'threat' to peace.
The more Republics that join this anachronism, the more that anachronistic system of privilege and monarchy will survive. As republicans we should be against it.

Well if the only objection is against people inheriting positions of power from their family, then it's a minor one.........have you had a look at our own Government and the Dail recently?

Our own elites are very much in existence and passing power inter-generationally, they just do it wearing less funny hats.......

Kermit.de.frog · 22-04-2014 02:15PM

This would be the equivalent of a battered wife returning to the divorced husband.

I say thanks but no thanks.

ScumLord · 22-04-2014 02:22PM

Mr Fabricant writes for Telegraph.co.uk, the proposal “is not so mad as it might at first seem”, because the Commonwealth today is founded on co-operation between English-speaking states with shared histories and legal systems.

He probably went on to wonder how strange it was that countries like India and Ireland have so many things in common, like speaking English. He makes it sound more like a support group for victims of the British empire.

twinytwo · 22-04-2014 02:27PM

Captain Farrell wrote: »

Sonia lost at the Olympics, Smith cheated, a horse got drugged plus two or three decent amateur boxers doing well. Great success...

Just to set some facts straight..Sonia lost to women later proven to be on drugs. Smith was never caught cheating, only that she supposedly "tampered" with a sample...(this only after she was accused by the Americans... Every though she was one of the most heavily tested athletes at the olympics) Under very dubious circumstances. Along with Cuba we have a history of producing excellent boxers.so..........ya great post

Happyman42 · 22-04-2014 02:31PM

Jawgap wrote: »

Well if the only objection is against people inheriting positions of power from their family, then it's a minor one.........have you had a look at our own Government and the Dail recently?

Our own elites are very much in existence and passing power inter-generationally, they just do it wearing less funny hats.......

Fairly typical whataboutery from those intent on waving their wee flags and fawning.
Probably the same electorate that re-elect those who have corrupted any notions of a republic here.

MRnotlob606 · 22-04-2014 02:33PM

U ok Hun ? wRite ta me in chat xxxxx

twinytwo · 22-04-2014 02:33PM

Captain Farrell wrote: »

Sonia lost at the Olympics, Smith cheated, a horse got drugged plus two or three decent amateur boxers doing well. Great success...

Just to set some facts straight..Sonia lost to women later proven to be on drugs. Smith was never caught cheating, only that she supposedly "tampered" with a sample...(this only after she was accused by the Americans... Every though she was one of the most heavily tested athletes at the olympics) Under very dubious circumstances. Along with Cuba we have a history of producing excellent boxers.so..........ya great post

Nodin · 22-04-2014 02:38PM

ScumLord wrote: »

He probably went on to wonder how strange it was that countries like India and Ireland have so many things in common, like speaking English. He makes it sound more like a support group for victims of the British empire.

....which, on a number of levels, is exactly what it is.

iForgetMyPW · 22-04-2014 02:39PM

5live wrote: »

Wouldn't join the commonwealth also mean having the queen as our de facto head of state?

They can feck off with that, I will not be bowing my head to her or any of her family:mad:

And what would we do with poor Michael D?

No...

India, Australia and Canada are in the commonwealth

Jawgap · 22-04-2014 02:40PM

Happyman42 wrote: »

Fairly typical whataboutery from those intent on waving their wee flags and fawning.
Probably the same electorate that re-elect those who have corrupted any notions of a republic here.

not sure what you're driving at there, but if it makes you happy carry on........

Augmerson · 22-04-2014 03:03PM

There will be more of this as 2016 looms. There are a lot of people in Dublin who'd wet themselves as being in the Commonwealth.

seamus · 22-04-2014 03:08PM

Augmerson wrote: »

There are a lot of people in Dublin who'd wet themselves as being in the Commonwealth.

I'm kind of lost in this whole, "Look at all these lovers of the crown" comments. I can honestly say in my 32 years on this planet I've never met more than one or two Irish people who have expressed any kind of actual interest in becoming part of the United Kingdom.

Is this the "no true Scotsman" fallacy in Republican form? Lamenting the fact that most of your fellow Irishmen no longer have any thirst for English blood?

sillyoulfool · 22-04-2014 03:08PM

I am at a total loss to see why we would want to re-join the Commonwealth.
It would bring no tangible economic or social benefits, it would be politically divisive, and it would be a retrograde step.

Kermit.de.frog · 22-04-2014 03:13PM

The article is a typical torygraph troll article.

Not only is the substance of it and notion ridiculous but even the title of it is mischevious.

"Celebrate peace by letting Ireland rejoin the commonwealth"

The inference here is two fold:

1. We are not worthy of being in their club (which incidentally contains for the most part places maybe we might not want all that much to do with)

2. We are desperate to get in

Don't feed the troll.

ScumLord · 22-04-2014 03:25PM

sillyoulfool wrote: »

I am at a total loss to see why we would want to re-join the Commonwealth.
It would bring no tangible economic or social benefits, it would be politically divisive, and it would be a retrograde step.

It's not that Ireland is even considering it. Some ignorant English toff highlighted his own stupidity. He probably knows nothing outside of his own posh bubble, I'd say the likes of that guy would have trouble distinguishing a Manc, from a Scot from a Dub.

WoollyRedHat · 22-04-2014 03:37PM

The conservatives come out with some **** and the media gladly give them a pulpit by publishing their nonsense.

Only a few weeks ago one of them came out suggesting one of the Northern Irish politicians should be executed or something similar, Mcguiness was the target in question I do believe.

WoollyRedHat · 22-04-2014 03:38PM

donkeyoaty0099 wrote: »

Would we all get British passports? Would make emigrating easier.

Make it easier to emigrate where? Genuine question btw just in case I come across as brash..

Jawgap · 22-04-2014 03:43PM

The actual article he wrote is a bit more nuanced than the spin d'Indo put on it.

Naturally some people have grabbed at the fact it's written by a former Tory grandee in a paper that is little more than a mouthpiece for that party.

Reading the original article, it seems his suggestion is less about improving Anglo-Irish relations than doing something to make the Commonwealth relevant as an international institution - in short I think the Commonwealth needs us to join much more than we need to join.

I can't see any reason for us to join.......just because relations between the two countries are becoming overtly much more civilised than was previously politically acceptable, doesn't mean we have to be in the same club as them.

Smiles35 · 22-04-2014 03:46PM

Augmerson wrote: »

There will be more of this as 2016 looms. There are a lot of people in Dublin who'd wet themselves as being in the Commonwealth.

Everyones under the microscope for 2016.Saint Paticks coming and he want's to see your passport.

Fratton Fred · 22-04-2014 05:05PM

sillyoulfool wrote: »

I am at a total loss to see why we would want to re-join the Commonwealth.
It would bring no tangible economic or social benefits, it would be politically divisive, and it would be a retrograde step.

The commonwealth games is about the only advantage from what I can see, which is actually a major event Ireland could realistically host and benefit from.

There is aid and education grants etc, for example Rwanda obviously thought there was a benefit in joining, but Ireland isn't Rwanda.

TheHappyChappy · 22-04-2014 05:08PM

Yea the brits are gonna be throwin money at us...

Anyone done any work around uk lately, what a filthy kip, makes corporation estates in Dublin appear desirable

Jawgap · 22-04-2014 05:14PM

TheHappyChappy wrote: »

Yea the brits are gonna be throwin money at us...

Anyone done any work around uk lately, what a filthy kip, makes corporation estates in Dublin appear desirable

Is that in addition to or including the £3.2billion they loaned us at rates better than what our European fellow travellers offered us in solidarity.

I work there a couple of days every fortnight - I've notice no discernible change for better or worse in the place.

SpaceTime · 22-04-2014 05:16PM

"Let" Ireland join the Commonwealth?

If I remember correctly, we were the ones who left, we weren't booted out.

The more correct term might be "inviting Ireland to join".

However, "letting" us is a bit of a slap in the face while attempting to give us a hug.

...

I reckon we should make up some international Irish organisation and "let" the UK join.

Celebrate peace 'by letting Ireland join the Commonwealth' - British MP

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