THE ATROCITIES OF COLONISATION AND THE DECLINE OF BRITISH INFLUENCE AT THE GLOBAL STAGE:

Written by LUCAS ANUFORO, Dublin, Ireland

Email: peter.lemachi@yahoo.com

“To give pain is the tyranny, to make happy, the true empire of beauty.”...Samuel Butler

“So in Europe, we had empires. Everyone had them- France and Spain and Britain and Turkey! The Ottoman Empire was full of furniture for some reason. And the Austro- Hungarian Empire, famous for fuck all! Yes, all they did was slowly collapse like a flan in a cupboard.”...Eddie Izzard

Between the 16th and 20th century the British Empire was at its apogee and became the largest empire the world had ever known. It has often been said that ‘the sun never sets on the Empire due to its extensive conquest of territories across the globe.

The Empire ensured that the sun was always shining on at least, one of its numerous colonies or subject nations. Its leadership influence stretched across the globe for several centuries. It could be said that the British Empire created a massive impact on the history of the world.

The period of 16th century triggered an era of European age of discovery, especially on the maritime explorations. Britain was able to flex its muscles of administrative efficiency within its colonies through maritime transportation which America’s colonisation formed part of the early era of British Empire. Its administrative efficacy was second to none. This was as a result of the punitive measures enforced to administer and achieve its imperialistic goals throughout the colonies.

Economically, most of the raw materials that were produced in some of these colonial territories such as coal and timber were exported to Britain as a source of energy for production, and also were used; to empower steam engine and the locomotive engine for economic growth. The imperial government of Britain was able to use both human and natural resources of these countries to establish itself as an economic powerhouse of the world.

However, the modern era of Britain saw a massive industrialization in the whole of the United Kingdom where the age of steam engine was faced-off and ushered in modern machines such as aero- engines, modern sophisticated maritime fleets and industrial robots. The United Kingdom labour force was fully engaged in the production and this led Britain to become a great industrialised nation.

The massive scale of slavery and ‘economic robbery’ practised by the imperial government within these countries, were such heinous and dubious. They were able to use the subjects of these colonial territories against each other as a means to disunite and disintegrate the communal bond that existed within the people; it created disunity, hatred and lack of trust among the people. This ‘divides and rule’ tactics were much instrumental for the success recorded by Britain in achieving its obnoxious rule.

After the atrocities of colonisation, the withdrawals of Britain from these territories saw the countries in limbo, forlorn and were subjected to both mental torture and abject poverty as a result of criminalities practised by the imperial government through syphoning of resources of these nations to run the affairs of the British State.

The pains of slavery and dehumanisation that was inflicted upon these countries were such grievous. Till present, the relics of the colonial mentality and the rancour of maltreatment are still haunting some of the former British colonies. Africa was mostly affected, by the burden of inferiority complex especially the skin colour was an impediment for Africans to prosper. Africans were treated with less humane in the eyes of the imperialistic masters and were significantly debased. Up till today, it’s obvious that Africa is still suffering from complex mentality. For instance, a European handyman working in Africa can automatically become an expatriate with substantial remuneration compared with an African who’s more educated and qualified.

Despite the subjugations suffered at the hands of Britain, the British government has not fully surrendered these colonies. Britain is still indirectly meddling with the domestic affairs of these countries. Nigeria is a good example of Britain’s patrimony. It could be recalled that President Buhari flew into the country from Britain a day to his Presidential inauguration in 2015 courtesy, of the British government advice for his safety and for the smooth transition of power. Ghana 50th Independence Day was more or less celebrated in Britain with the invitation of the then, President John Agyekum Kufuor by the Queen at the Buckingham Palace.

Unfortunately, Nigeria and other Anglophone countries have been much obsequious on Britain’s influence rather than to concentrate and find ways in solving their countries economic woes. All the countries colonised by Britain especially Africa are still less developed till present due to insistent interference from Britain and other major powers in their governance coupled with the corrupted African leaders.

For several decades Britain has been a great influence on the world politics both in the Commonwealths of Nations, United Nations and other International bodies. For instance, Britain is among the founding members of the Commonwealth of Nations and also one of the five permanent members of the UN. The meeting of Commonwealth of Nations was founded in 1931 comprises 54 countries of former colonial territories of British Empire thus under the status of the Westminster with five initial members the United Kingdom, Canada, The Irish Free-state, Newfoundland and the Union of South Africa. However, Ireland later left the Commonwealth permanently in 1949 while Newfoundland became part of Canada in 1949 and subsequently, South Africa left in 1961 as a result of apartheid regime but later rejoined in 1994 as Republic of South Africa.

Politically, the aims and objectives of the Commonwealth are to foster international co-operation and to establish economically, social development and more so, for human rights within the member countries. Unfortunately, this has never been achieved instead, what the organisation witnessed especially in Africa was insistent failed administrations, poor governance and military coup d’état which many at times Britain has been accused of masterminding and sponsoring some of the military coups which took place in the Anglophone countries.

The decline of Britain’s influence in Europe could easily be traced back politically during the formation of the European Union after the end of the II World war of 1939-1945 as Britain failed to sustain its position to be among the key founding members of the Union. Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, Luxemburg and the Netherlands were the founding members of the EU. This significantly; affected Britain’s leadership role in the EU and was unable to find its lofty voice within Europe.

Both labour and the Conservative government of the past and present have on different occasions try pulling a trigger in Brussels accusing the EU of being obtruded in some of her legislation but were obtrusively ignored by Brussels. Britain was much concerned about EU policies on border control and its immigration system. It accused the EU of leviathan power and expressed its concerns for the Union becoming a Super State.

The Labour-led government of Tony Blair and David Cameron Conservative government were sort of crying wolf on each meeting attended in Brussels. They bemoaned and beaconed on the EU for reform so as to quench the thirst of the populist eurosceptic demands for Brexit. But back home as the demand for Brexit gathered momentum, unfortunately, no opposition leader dared to speak out that there is any need for reform and that UK demands can be met within existing EU processes, structures, and institutions. It was obvious that Cameron’s government lost total control of the argument for the United Kingdom to continue with the EU hence there was no definition of clear foreign policy or strategies in dealing with the issue of Brexit. The outcome of the referendum was a big blow to the Conservative-led government and a victory for the populist and eurosceptics crusaders.

Thus the exit of Britain from the European Union will dim its light of influence not only, in Europe but also at the global stage. The former U.S. President Barack Obama remind Britain before the Brexit referendum about the consequences of leaving the Union that United Kingdom could be“ back of the queue” for American trade deal if left the EU.

However, the demand for Scotland to go for the second referendum makes UK’s economic power hanged on a balance. In recent past, many Scots see Britain’s relationship with Scotland as a marriage of convenience. As history may have in 1746 forces loyal to Bonny Prince Charlie, the last Stuart claimant to the throne of Scotland was crushed at the Battle of Culloden, near Inverness. Almost 40 years earlier, in 1707, the Act of Union bound together England, Scotland, and Wales. Culloden the last pitched battle fought on British soil had marked the death knell for Scottish dream of Independence. Today, the optimism and dreams of Scottish young generation have once raised again many Scots insist on the second referendum after the defeat of the first referendum in 2014.

Economically, Scotland is important to the UK as Texas is important to the United States. According to Bureau of Economic Research data, Scotland economic contribution to the United Kingdom is about 9.5% of GDP, including its share of the oil. Scotland vehemently wants to remain in the EU at all cost because of the economic benefits while the Northern Ireland, on its own part is seeking for reunification with the Republic of Ireland. The question is if Scotland succeeds by going its own way through referendum what would the United Kingdom’s economic strength looks like?

At moment, Britain could be said to be on honeymoon as the bloc is set to demand an explicit veto on British trade deals signed with other countries for around two years after Brexit, while EU free movement will be extended until the end of the transition period, with no controls on immigration until 2021.

The 30th of March 2019 will be much significant to the Brits it will be the month; the United Kingdom will officially, bid a farewell to EU. A Union, Britain tried to have dominance but France and Germany did not give room for such. Many Schools Of Thought believed that United Kingdom would be better off in EU than to leave because; it will no longer have access to the EU single market which poses a major threat to the British economy. However, in as much as, the UK Prime Minister Theresa May announced that UK would not seek a permanent membership of the single market or the customs after leaving the EU but that does not secure a promising economic future for Britain.

As the year 2019 approaches Britain is about to step into a new economic horizon with different political and economic relations with the rest of 27 members of the European Union. Consequently, as the final of Brexit draws near the world would be watching.

LUCAS ANUFORO, Freelance Journalist, Dublin Ireland.

Twitter:@anuforo