Political map of the United Kingdoms
Leaving the Past to Make the Future
Although the UK is often primarily thought about as an English or British country, it in itself is a commonwealth. Made up of the kingdoms of Scotland, England, Wales, and the jurisdiction of North Ireland, the nation is no stranger to the complexities of combining national and cultural ideals with a broader identity. This experience and their dependence on their overseas colonies created a unique situation where their empire, rather than crumbling like so many of their neighbors, reformed into a society where each nation worked alongside one another rather than for one. As seen in the examples presented, the UK was both sought and reached out to their colonies and negotiated partnerships with these new nations. Not every former colony joined, the memories of being oppressed are often not easily forgotten or forgiven, but the ones that helped form the Commonwealth of Nations had as large an impact on the UK as the organization itself.
First King of the Commonwealth
King George VI - First Leader of the Commonwealth and King of the UK and British Empire
King George VI, an accidental king, had the responsibilities of the empire thrust upon him in 1936 when his brother, Edward VIII, abdicated due to a marriage scandal. The king quickly found himself embroiled with fiercely aggressive politics involving Hitler's Third Reich, and in 1939 gave the approval for the declaration of war against the Axis powers. Soon after the war he began a tour of the empire and Commonwealth and met with leaders that expressed dissatisfaction with the empire's status quo. Though his reign is significantly shorter than his daughter's, Elizabeth II, King George VI approved the beginning of the movement that reformed the Commonwealth from being a select organization of crown Dominions to welcoming independent republics as members.
News Reel announcing the Dominion meeting on India and Pakistan
Born an Empress, Reborn a Leader
On King Goerge VI's death in 1952, the Commonwealth of Nations extended the invitation to his successor, Queen Elizabeth II, to lead their organization into the modern era. In recognition to the offer, the queen invited the heads of the Commonwealth to her coronation in 1953. For the last 68 years, Her Majesty has been working tirelessly to increase the funding to the organization through her own means and representing the Commonwealth on a global stage. Her tenure as the Commonwealth's head is not without scandal, however, as she was seated on the throne during brutal actions taken by the empire to repress rebellions and maintain control in its colonies. Since the end of the empire proper, she has continued to serve the Commonwealth and attempts to continue the organization's goals of increasing access to democracy, healthcare, and promoting human rights.
Speech from Queen Elizabeth II to Commonwealth leaders 2018
The UK and the Commonwealth
The UK is the most open nation in regards to privileges given to Commonwealth citizens. A Commonwealth citizen can travel freely to the UK and take advantage of all the rights a citizen of the UK enjoys. Regardless of the status of a Commonwealth citizen, as long as they reside within the UK they may serve in the military, be employed by the government, vote in local and parliamentary elections, and even run for office. The UK also allows Commonwealth citizens to file for emergency passports through British consulates, regardless of their residence within the organization or if their home nation has a consulate in the nation they are visiting. Additionally, the UK works with Commonwealth citizens by providing ready access to work and educational opportunities. Though the nation has a long history of oppression, in modern times they are the most expansive nation within the organization to offer universal citizenship to all members.