and yet countries who were never part of the British empire have applied and been accepted into the Commonwealth in recent times. Strange, isn't it?Agreed antiquated colonial bollox, that just reminds us of our shameful past.
The view that the Commonwealth is the UK + 53 colonies is some of the biggest bollocks outside of Putin and Trump that I've seen for a long time! The commonwealth is a voluntary group of countries, mostly (but not all) former members of the Empire. Always something to be proud to be part of - a genuine multi national, multi religious, multi racial friendship group, which says a lot about the way that Britain handled the end of empire.So the likes of Gabon, Togo, Rwanda, Mozambique, South Sudan, Suriname, Burundi, should all be told to get stuffed, we're disbanding the club?
The Commonwealth doesn't exist because the UK wants it, it exists because the 54 member countries want it. We need to get away from the far-from accurate view that the Commonwealth is the UK + 53 colonies.
Strange? - no. A tribute to the Commonwealth ideal? - yes.and yet countries who were never part of the British empire have applied and been accepted into the Commonwealth in recent times. Strange, isn't it?
No need to waste it on NHS.100million !!
put that into the NHS
Our past is not shameful, was is shameful is all the crap that is happening in this nowAgreed antiquated colonial bollox, that just reminds us of our shameful past.
Yes agree with this. Just a smaller track and field Olympics for the commonwealth. Basically a big athletic event. Easy enough to do in existing stadiums.I think a sensible way forward would be to hold a much pared back games. No need for new stadiums, massive infrastructure changes etc
There are only a certain number of velodromes, swimming pools,stadiums that can be used on an ongoing basis after a games is over. Most countries able to host a games will have enough, already, even if they are not "state of the art"
If the UK for example were to offer, we have the olympic and previous commonwealth games venues to utilise, plenty of reasonably new and modern football stadiums,
The current thinking seems to be to out do whatever went previously, forget that, do a budget games. A 400 meter running track is still the same distance whever its at Withdean or the London Stadium!
What's not to like? Apart from all of it. Top comedyTo be honest, that's pretty much what is being done for Paris 2024 Olympics. Having done a lot of research into it recently, it seems to be very much done on the cheap with famous landmarks being 'transformed' into sports venues, with only three brand new facilities being built (two of which are in one of the poorest areas of Paris to try and 'gentrify' it a bit). It makes complete sense (as does having the vast majority of the games going on within a 10km radius) and saves a whole load of money at the same time. Having briefly looked into LA 2028, I think they are going down the same path.
As for the Commonwealth Games, I think it's a bit of a busted flush. Although the UK could continue to step in and then it could be a REAL 'Celebration of Brexit' type affair. A reminder of a time when the country ruled the world and didn't have to worry about bits of coloured fabric on a football shirt
The Games didI don't think Birmingham City Council's woes are anything to do with hosting the Commonwealth Games, more a historic claim relating to (the lack of) equal pay. I think it's set to cost them the best part of £1billion.
Jumpers for goalposts?Yes agree with this. Just a smaller track and field Olympics for the commonwealth. Basically a big athletic event. Easy enough to do in existing stadiums.