The benefits of a strong Commonwealth

A 53-gun salute in London’s Green Park marked the formal opening of the Commonwealth heads of government meeting  with a ceremony in the ballroom at Buckingham Palace.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern took her place at Chogm,  brought into the fold which includes prime ministers from Australia, the United Kingdom and Canada — like New Zealand, all part of the Five Eyes intelligence network.

Forty-six government leaders from the 53 nations attended, along with foreign ministers.

They arrived in motorcades driven on to the palace forecourt where they were greeted by a guard of honour formed by the Coldstream Guards, whose officers and soldiers lined up in their scarlet tunics and bearskins.

The Queen, who presides over the summit but does not take part in discussions, welcomed the participants in what is likely to be her last Chogm, the first to be held in London for 32 years. As she no longer goes abroad, Prince Charles will continue to represent her in overseas gatherings.

Culture and colour were on display for the "family photo" as the Commonwealth includes a host of Pacific, Caribbean and African countries.

It has been the Queen who has been the Commonwealth’s most steadfast  champion. She has seen it through some of the most serious challenges.

The Queen made it clear she favoured her son Prince Charles to take over from her as head of the Commonwealth, and that is what happened.

This is a major step for Charles as he takes on an increasingly important role in the Royal Family. It has been a long time waiting for Prince Charles and he has yet to show what sort of a leader he can be for the Commonwealth, a gathering of countries mostly former British colonies.

As the United Kingdom considers Brexit, leaving the European Union behind, the Commonwealth may become a strategic alliance for trading agreements.

If the Prince of Wales can end some of the disagreements, such as India’s indifference to the Commonwealth, he will achieve a great deal.

His sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, are global faces and much loved wherever they go. Calls for Prince Charles to step aside for his eldest son were not  heeded as the prince has waited a lifetime for this opportunity.

The Queen emphasised the need to rejuvenate the Commonwealth as a trading bloc. New Zealand has recently signed the updated Trans-Pacific Partnership which has 11 members, including Australia, Canada and Japan. But the need for free-trade agreements with the UK and Europe remain a priority.

For British manufacturers, the EU remains the cornerstone for UK trade, representing 50% of Britain’s trade against 9% going to Commonwealth countries.

For countries like New Zealand, signing a trade agreement with Britain following Brexit will be a prerequisite and being part of Chogm may help smooth the path.

Prince Charles, despite the misgivings of some, can play a pivotal role in ensuring the Commonwealth remains relevant and not an 80-year-old institution based on a defunct empire.

The Commonwealth leaders will not always agree on the best way forward. However, in times of global unrest, uniting the leaders of 2.4 billion people may counter  some of the extremist notions currently circulating the globe.

Prince Charles described the modern Commonwealth has having a vital role to play in building bridges between the countries. The gathering is a chance to celebrate with new pride the remarkable Commonwealth family.

It is hoped the Chogm meeting will help revitalise the bonds between countries but also give the Commonwealth a renewed relevance to all its citizens.

With the Queen unable to travel overseas, the onus is on Prince Charles to ensure the Commonwealth family is kept on track.

Comments

The House of Lords have voted in an amendment that there is to be a Parliament vote on the UK staying in the Customs Union. The UK Government may not have the numbers to win that battle making a Commonwealth trade zone with the UK in it unlikely. The UK out of the EU but still in the Customs Union will make the UK a vassal State, controlled by the EU. I can imagine a constitutional crisis and battles on the streets.