what are the british commonwealth countries

Yet, as ceremonial head, King Charles III has already firmly signaled that he wants to support the Commonwealth as a progressive association, supporting developmental states and assisting small, especially small island states. Others have argued that the enduring links between the British monarch and the modern association perpetuate a perception of the Commonwealth as ‘empire 2.0’, particularly in the minds of young people. However, there are enduring sensitivities within the Commonwealth if the British, as the former imperial power, appear to be taking too strong a stance. Authors such as Kris Srinivasan implied in the past that the viability and vitality of the Commonwealth depends on British leadership without this, in their view, the Commonwealth will continue to dwindle and fail. However, there is an extraordinary gap in the knowledge of the British public about empire and the decolonising process, let alone the modern Commonwealth. During its time as chair in office, Britain directed £500m in bilateral assistance to Commonwealth countries whilst reducing British funding to the Commonwealth Secretariat, the Commonwealth’s bureaucratic organisation and former Prime Minister’s Boris Johnson led a campaign in support of Jamaican Foreign Minister Kamina Johnson Smith’s bid to be SG, against Baroness Scotland. The idea of shifting immigration towards ‘old’ Commonwealth countries featured in right-wing Conservative discourse during the referendum campaign. Since the Brexit referendum and Britain’s decision to leave the European Union, the Commonwealth has received far greater emphasis in Conservative governments’ and politicians’ public rhetoric.

In recent years, Britain’s position in the modern Commonwealth has had a high degree visibility, with the late Queen as ceremonial head, the British credentials of current Secretary General Patricia Scotland (notwithstanding her stress on her Caribbean heritage), and Britain’s position as chair in office from 2018-2022. Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2022 opening ceremony in Rwanda.

What are the british commonwealth countries