CONFIDENTIAL
3
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Britain's position in the Commonwealth
DSR 11C
6. The Commonwealth has changed its character greatly over
the last 20 years or so. Not only has its membership
increased but the system of Commonwealth trade.
preferences, which knit its members together in economic
self-interest, has been dismantled as a result of our
accession to the European Communities. Changes in
nationality law and in immigration policy have also had
the effect of reducing considerably the privileges
formally accorded to Commonwealth citizens. Partly as
a consequence of these changes and partly as a result
of deliberate policy on our part, Britain is no longer at
the centre of the Commonwealth, but a member like others,
albeit an important one. This has been an inevitable
transition. The growth in the number of developing
most of them
country Commonwealth members,
most
F
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members of the UN and
many influenced by the rhetoric and confrontation tactics
of the group of 77 would have made it hard for us to have
remained the centrepiece of the Commonwealth, dominating
its policies, even had we wanted to.
7. But it is not easy to escape from a traditional role
and some members still see us as having a special
position in and responsibility towards the Commonwealth
and urge us to take a more active part in its activities.
The reasons for this include historical associations,
Britain's major constitutional role in bringing Zimbabwe
and Belize to independence, (two recent issues which have
pushed Britain to the fore in Commonwealth affairs),
The Queen's position of Head of the Commonwealth and the
location of the Commonwealth Secretariat in London.
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