The Commonwealth is outdated, pointless and increasingly irrelevant. What better time to point this out than on the day when this historical oddity – born out of the ashes of the British empire – begins its biennial shindig? The 27th meeting of the Commonwealth heads of government summit gets underway in the Pacific island of Samoa today – with a plentiful dose of pomp and ceremony – under the official theme, ‘One Resilient Common Future: Transforming our Common Wealth’. Who dreams up this stuff?
It is the first time the event is being hosted by a Pacific island nation and the first time King Charles will deliver the opening address as head of the Commonwealth. The Prime Minister Keir Starmer also gets to take part for the first time.
All three candidates to succeed Patricia Scotland have said they support reparations for countries affected by slavery and colonisation
Formed in 1949, the Commonwealth mainly consists of former British colonies.
Get Britain's best politics newsletters
Register to get The Spectator's insight and opinion straight to your inbox. You can then read two free articles each week.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in