What does the Brexit vote mean?

[Dale]

The AU-US alliance stems from ANZUS actually, not from UK.  ANZUS was originally setup in the 50's as a collective South Pacific security alliance.  And whilst NZ dropped out years ago due to disagreeing with the Iraq wars, the AU-US component still exists.

[Buster's Uncle]

Okay.  Ugly American just assumed it was that alliance of the English speaking world thing -which I'm for, though aware being in bed with the US is riding the tiger- and assumed it was through the Commonwealth.

SO - Commonwealth; yea or nay, if Dale votes?

[DrazharLn]

Britain doesn't have much power over the commonwealth at all, let alone dragging the other members into wars.

[Valka]

Every time a new batch of photos of George or Charlotte (the Queen's great-grandchildren; proud parents are William and Kate), the anti-monarchists come slithering onto CBC.ca and post some of the most vile <garbage> directed at two little kids who have no idea about any of it.

I'm comfortable with Canada being part of the Commonwealth. The British Royal Family has been a part of our history for a very long time, well before we were an official country. And we're in the process of changing things now, as not only did Trudeau make a campaign promise to end FPTP voting (the committee is working on it now), but he's trying as much Senate reform as possible without actually reopening the Constitution squabbles.

Just think... if I owned $4000 worth of property, provided three letters of reference, and had a sufficiently good resume that would impress a selection committee, I could become a Senator (I meet all the other requirements). Normally they're appointed by the Prime Minister, but it's actually been thrown open for people to apply. And it's a job that's guaranteed until age 75 or until the Senator gets caught egregiously padding their expense account and hauled into court, whichever comes first. And even then it's very likely that they'll get off scot-free as happened earlier this year (and just a couple of days ago in one case).

[Buster's Uncle]

You wouldn't like Ottawa, but I could see you doing a Glenda Jackson act from the back benches...

[Buster's Uncle]

Britain doesn't have much power over the commonwealth at all, let alone dragging the other members into wars.

Since when has anyone had to DRAG Bruce into a barney?

[Dale]

Britain doesn't have much power over the commonwealth at all, let alone dragging the other members into wars.

In terms of Britain, since 1971 after the Singapore Declaration they've had no power over the Commonwealth.  They, like all other members, are equal parties with equal voice at CHOGM.

[Buster's Uncle]

Yes, but the reality is...