TNAG-1117-FCO40-1391-Future-of-the-Dependent-Territories-1982 — Page 181

8.

CONFIDENTIAL.

4

DSR 11C

This continuing perception of Britain as more than just

an ordinary member of the Commonwealth would make it

Were we to do so it would

awkward for us to leave it.

probably continue without us. But the decision to leave,

thereby depriving the Commonwealth of its wealthiest

and most pжexfx powerful member, around whom the

organisation had built up, would be bound to give offense.

The likely result, a Commonwealth still more oriented

towards the Third World, and at most hostile, at best

unsympathetic towards Britain, .would not be in our

interests. Our leaving the Commonwealth would also call

into question the position of The Queen. There might be

a difficult choice between advising The Queen thatShe could

remain Head of the Commonwealth, (to which there would

apparently be no legal or constitutional bar, though it

cod blago Kand

would be politically awkward); and advising Her to relinquish

Her title, perhaps against Her will.

1

9.

To leave the Commonwealth would

be unpopular

at home too. There remains a strong attachment to the

Commonwealth atm levels of British society, including

the Palace, all major political parties, and public

opinion more widely. Opposition could be expected from

those who would see it as a sign of insularity and of lack

of interest in the Third World (and in particular those parts

of it to which we are tied by history, and to which we might

be held to have some responsibility) and from special

interest groups in areas such as agriculture and the

Commonwealth Games.

/10.