Sir, - One of the aims of the Reform Movement is to lobby for the Republic of Ireland to join the Commonwealth. We emphasise join, not re-join, as the Commonwealth has radically changed since we left it in 1948. Following the London agreement, the Commonwealth changed into a family of equal nations, involving no loss of sovereignty for its members. The Queen is a powerless, purely titular leader, with no real influence on the running of Commonwealth affairs.
We do not believe that symbolism and appeasement of unionists should dominate as factors in any decision to join, but rather that we join based on the considerable tangible benefits on offer. We believe there are real advantages to joining. A quarter of the world's population resides in the Commonwealth, ten of the world's fastest growing economies are members, trade between members is facilitated by members who share similar consumer tastes, the same language, a common basis for legal institutions and regulatory affairs. A new world of sporting opportunities would be opened to our athletes which could lead to the raising of standards and facilities in this country.
Many argue that our place is in Europe, not the Commonwealth, the Reform Movement is strongly supportive of our membership of the EU but we ask why should these positions be mutually exclusive? If it comes to the question of sovereignty, we have just foregone a major part of our economic sovereignty when we uncomplainingly gave away control of our interest rates, which concerns many of our economists. In addition, we are now at risk of losing control of corporate tax rates, which could lead to the loss of transnationals, huge unemployment and a devastating depression. Lastly, the huge tranches of EU funds are coming to an end, making EU membership much less attractive.
In contrast, the Commonwealth poses no threats, but rather would enrich and diversify our culture and trade. It would pose new and exciting challenges in its "global sub-system". We congratulate An Taoiseach for showing his progressiveness in suggesting that we join the Commonwealth. - Yours, etc., R. de Burigh, Anne Holliday, Derek Simpson, Reform Movement,
P.O. Box 6338, Dublin 2.