Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has thus far navigated a complex political landscape, faces a pressing question about the legacy and relevance of British imperial structures in the modern world. One such institution that has long outlasted its usefulness is the British Commonwealth, a relic of empire that attempts to maintain symbolic connections between the United Kingdom and its former colonies. This centuries-old organization, however, no longer serves the purpose for which it was originally intended and should be critically reconsidered, if not entirely disbanded. At the same time, Britain’s immigration policy, particularly its link to the Commonwealth, needs a fresh evaluation to align with modern realities.
The Commonwealth: An Outdated Framework
The Commonwealth, comprising 56 member states, was originally established to maintain a degree of political, economic, and cultural influence over former British colonies. These nations, having once sought independence from colonial rule, often celebrate their separation from the empire as a triumph of national sovereignty. Paradoxically, however, the Commonwealth persists, providing member nations with an avenue to retain some form of symbolic connection to the UK.
For Britain, the Commonwealth has long been marketed as a “family” of nations, but the notion of this familial relationship feels increasingly outdated. The original purpose of the Commonwealth—to foster trade, promote shared values, and maintain diplomatic ties—has been undermined by a shifting global order. Today, many Commonwealth countries engage more robustly with regional organizations such as the African Union, ASEAN, or Mercosur, and have forged new diplomatic ties, particularly with rising powers like China and the United States.
Trade between the UK and Commonwealth countries has also diminished in significance, with many of these nations prioritizing agreements with the European Union or other global partners. For Britain, Commonwealth membership is not offering significant geopolitical leverage or economic gain. This begs the question: why maintain a loose association with countries that sought and cherish their independence, while the benefits to the UK are, at best, minimal?
Immigration and the Legacy of the Commonwealth
The UK’s immigration debate is often entwined with its historical connections to the Commonwealth. Many citizens of Commonwealth nations, especially from the Caribbean, South Asia, and Africa, have immigrated to the UK since the mid-20th century, seeking better opportunities or fleeing conflict. The Windrush scandal, in which legal migrants from the Commonwealth were wrongly detained or deported, highlighted the tensions between Britain’s colonial past and its modern immigration policies.
The contradiction in Britain’s relationship with Commonwealth nations is glaring: on the one hand, these countries are considered sovereign and independent, having rejected British imperial control. On the other hand, their citizens have often been given special immigration privileges, including access to certain rights in the UK, though these have been restricted in recent years.
This raises a critical question: Can Commonwealth nations truly claim independence while simultaneously relying on the historical ties of empire to justify immigration rights for their citizens? Immigration to the UK should be based on the country’s modern needs and values, not on a colonial-era construct that no longer serves any functional purpose.
Independence or Special Privileges?
It’s important to note that nations cannot have it both ways—asserting full independence while retaining privileges derived from their colonial past. This paradox weakens the concept of sovereignty, particularly when Commonwealth countries have other means of forging diplomatic, cultural, and economic ties with Britain and other global powers. To preserve national integrity, both for Britain and for its former colonies, it is essential that these relationships evolve to reflect the current realities.
Immigration, similarly, needs to be disentangled from historical legacies. The UK must critically assess its immigration policies without being beholden to outdated Commonwealth privileges. Immigration should be governed by clear, fair policies that reflect Britain’s labor needs, demographic trends, and economic priorities—not vestigial ties to an empire that no longer exists. For instance, the current points-based immigration system attempts to balance these factors, but still, certain Commonwealth citizens may expect preferential treatment due to historical precedent. This system could be reviewed to ensure that immigration decisions are based purely on merit and modern relevance, not colonial connections.
What Starmer Should Do
For Prime Minister Keir Starmer, there is an opportunity to reevaluate and modernize Britain’s relationships with the world, starting with the Commonwealth. Disbanding the Commonwealth might seem drastic, but it would send a clear message that Britain is moving away from imperial nostalgia and towards a future based on equal, sovereign partnerships. Nations that were once part of the British Empire now stand on their own, and Britain should recognize that the post-colonial era has fully arrived. If these countries want complete autonomy, they should not expect special immigration or political privileges based on a long-gone empire.
Additionally, Starmer should lead the charge for an overhaul of Britain’s immigration system. Commonwealth status should no longer be a factor in immigration policies. Instead, the focus should be on attracting individuals based on skills, labor market needs, and humanitarian obligations, not on historical ties. This would allow Britain to create a more coherent, fair, and forward-looking immigration system that is rooted in the realities of today’s global landscape.
A New Union for a New Era: Closer Ties with Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States
As the UK navigates its post-Brexit identity, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has an opportunity to forge a new path that aligns Britain’s interests with the realities of a rapidly changing global order. One proposal worth serious consideration is a closer union with countries that share Britain’s values, culture, and strategic interests—specifically Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. A new military, political, and free trade alliance with these nations would be far more meaningful in today’s world than continuing to uphold outdated institutions like the British Commonwealth.
A Union of Shared Values and Strategic Interests
The “CANZUK” alliance—Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK—has been floated in various forms for several years. Adding the United States to this mix would create a powerful bloc of nations bound by deep historical ties, shared values like democracy and the rule of law, and strong strategic interests. These nations are already close partners in various spheres, from defense cooperation (such as the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance) to economic and cultural ties. However, more can be done to formalize this relationship and leverage it to navigate global challenges.
Such a union would focus on three primary areas: military cooperation, political alignment, and free trade.
Military Cooperation: Strengthening Global Security
The rise of new geopolitical powers, particularly China, has shifted the global security landscape, creating a need for democratic nations to band together more effectively. The UK’s involvement in AUKUS, the security pact with the United States and Australia to counter Chinese influence in the Indo-Pacific, is an example of how these nations are already recognizing the need for greater military coordination.
Expanding military cooperation among Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the US would allow these countries to present a unified front in global security matters. From joint military exercises to shared defense technologies and strategic planning, this union would help secure Western interests in key regions around the world. It would also enable a more effective response to global crises, whether they arise from state actors or non-state threats such as terrorism and cyberattacks.
By forming a military alliance with countries that are culturally aligned and have shared security goals, Britain could enhance its global influence and ensure that it remains a key player on the world stage, even outside of the European Union.
Political Alignment: A United Voice in Global Governance
Politically, this new union would create a bloc that could exert considerable influence on the global stage. The US and UK already share deep political connections, which could be further solidified through an official union. Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, as fellow Commonwealth nations, have also long been aligned with the UK politically, but this relationship could be formalized into a political union that amplifies their shared voice in global governance institutions like the United Nations, NATO, and the World Trade Organization.
This union would provide an effective counterbalance to the growing influence of authoritarian regimes and global competitors such as China and Russia. With their combined diplomatic influence, these countries could advocate for human rights, democratic governance, and the rule of law on a global scale, coordinating their foreign policies and standing firm against external pressures.
At the same time, such a union would promote internal political cohesion, creating forums for policy coordination on issues such as climate change, migration, and technological innovation. It would allow member states to share best practices and harmonize approaches to major global challenges.
Free Trade: A New Economic Partnership
The most tangible benefit of this proposed union could come in the form of a comprehensive free trade agreement. With the United States already a major trading partner for all the proposed members, and Australia, New Zealand, and Canada enjoying strong economic ties with the UK, creating a unified trade bloc would greatly enhance economic growth for all parties involved. The UK’s exit from the European Union has left it in need of new trade relationships, and this new union could fill that void.
A free trade agreement within this bloc would ensure tariff-free access to each other’s markets, allowing goods, services, and capital to move more freely between member nations. This would foster innovation, create jobs, and bolster the economies of all the countries involved. Moreover, a free trade union that includes the United States—still the world’s largest economy—would significantly enhance the economic power of this alliance on the global stage.
Such an agreement could also allow for greater labor mobility between member states, allowing skilled workers to move more freely between the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the US. This would be a pragmatic approach to labor shortages and would benefit the economies of all the countries involved.
Why This Union Makes Sense
This proposed union would represent a significant departure from Britain’s current international affiliations, but it is a natural evolution based on shared history, values, and strategic priorities. It acknowledges that the world is shifting, with the rise of authoritarianism and a multipolar world order threatening the liberal, rules-based international system that has underpinned global stability since the end of World War II.
Rather than clinging to outdated institutions like the Commonwealth, which no longer serve Britain’s strategic or economic interests, Prime Minister Keir Starmer should prioritize relationships that are grounded in the present. Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States are natural allies with which the UK can form a more robust, meaningful union. Together, they could lead on major global issues, from security to trade, and ensure that the values of democracy, human rights, and open markets continue to thrive.
This new union would also allow Britain to redefine its role in the world post-Brexit. No longer tethered to the European Union, Britain has the flexibility to build new alliances that better serve its long-term interests. By partnering with countries that are culturally and politically aligned, Britain can remain a key player in global affairs without the constraints of EU membership.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer should seize the opportunity to disband outdated institutions like the British Commonwealth and instead focus on building a new union with Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. This union would strengthen military cooperation, amplify political influence, and create a powerful free trade bloc that benefits all members. In a world where global power dynamics are shifting, such a union would ensure that Britain and its closest allies remain influential and secure in the face of emerging challenges. This is the future that Britain should strive for: a partnership grounded not in colonial nostalgia, but in shared values and strategic alignment for the 21st century.
The British Commonwealth has become an anachronism in a world that has moved beyond the empire, and Prime Minister Keir Starmer should take bold steps to disband it. At the same time, Britain’s immigration policies must be updated to reflect the needs and values of a modern nation, not bound by outdated notions of imperial privilege. The Commonwealth’s existence and the remnants of colonial-era immigration policies are incompatible with true independence and sovereignty for both Britain and its former colonies. The time has come to fully close this chapter of British history and move forward with clarity and purpose.
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