Tuesday 15 March 2016

Free movement across Commonwealth countries strongly supported

 

If membership in the British Commonwealth today is to mean anything at all beyond some Games every four years, then it should, it must at minimum, mean this: EU-style free movement between Australia, Canada, NZ and the UK.

And, hey presto, “Australians, New Zealanders, Canadians and Britons would like the right to live and work in each other's nations without the need for a visa, a new poll suggests.”

The survey, carried out by The Royal Commonwealth Society, shows significant levels of support for a European Union-style system of free movement between the four nations.
    Seventy per cent of Australians were in favour of the idea with only one in ten opposed.
    Support was stronger among Canadians (75 per cent), New Zealanders (82 per cent) and people under the age of 35.
    The policy proposal was least popular in Britain, where 58 per cent of those surveyed backed it and one in five did not think it was a good idea.
    "I think it could work," said Lord Howell of Guilford, president of the Royal Commonwealth Society.
    "We need to welcome our friends with open arms when they visit us, and, in doing so, work to ensure as much free mobility as possible."

Those most in favour? “Young Commonwealth nationals in some of London's pubs.”

Those most oppposed? Who do you think: Politicians.

[Hat tip Australian Libertarian Society (ALS)]

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3 comments:

Suzuki Samurai said...

I reckon this issue would be something for David Seymour to get behind, or lead as it were. Certainly votes in it from the younger punters. I wrote to him about his very thing about a year ago (I think I did anyway); no reply.

I reckon he could find other like minded MP's in the Commonwealth and form themselves a principle group, and lobby from within their own governments. Could be a great campaign for him.

Suzuki

Andrew B said...

Yes. I have called him and Stephen Berry - both young ACT politicians - out on this today on Facebook. I don't see how they could fail to see it as a vote-winner with the young.

Britain would be more likely to go for it if Brexit happened and they would be more likely to vote for Brexit if they knew this was on offer.

Andrew B said...

Yes. I have called him and Stephen Berry - both young ACT politicians - out on this today on Facebook. I don't see how they could fail to see it as a vote-winner with the young.

Britain would be more likely to go for it if Brexit happened and they would be more likely to vote for Brexit if they knew this was on offer.