Could CANZUK be the future for post-Brexit UK?

Dylan Atkinson
Sep 5, 2018 · 3 min read

Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. United by a common language. A common culture and common values. Countries at similar levels of development as each other. Could this be fertile ground for a new Union?

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So could a union between these countries be a potential solution to post-Brexit UK, and a push towards more trade and more co-operation for all countries involved?

This is no day-dream. An organisation established with this ultimate goal and in the meantime working towards more ties between these nations already exists (1). With Britain looking increasingly likely to at best damage European ties, it may be time to look further afield. Much, much further afield.

The organisation claims to be “[an advocate for] freedom of movement, free trade and foreign policy coordination between Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom (the “CANZUK” countries).”

But…Freedom of movement? Policy coordination? Isn’t that what over 17 million Brit’s voted to get rid of?

Maybe. But it’s important to look at why so many people voted for Brexit. In a poll (2) 33% of people cited their main reason for the vote was to “take back control of UK borders”, with many more having this as a significant reason. But, with the population of CANZ being far lower than that of Europe, and all countries being at a similar level of development means it would be unlikely mass migration would occur.

In fact, the migration would be vital due to a likely shortage of skilled-workers in the event of EU migration being strictly slowed. The highly-skilled labour markets of some of the world’s wealthiest economies would provide huge help to both the private and public sectors across the country, helping to reduce labour shortages and provide citizens with better career prospects.

Furthermore the sharing of a common language and very similar culture would be a huge aide to social integration between migrants and the native population — a major concern amongst leave voters.

The geographical diversity of the countries would play as a major Geopolitical advantage, creating a multi-continental union would enable all countries to increase both trade and diplomatic relations across the world.

The idea is also not a shot in the dark but an increasingly popular idea across the countries (3), with all four countries wanting to improve ties, with the UK in desperate need of this and the other three attempting to cash-in first after the decision that changed European politics forever.

So yes. CANZUK is definitely possible. An official union may not happen but what is highly likely is trade deals between these countries after Brexit, as offers have already been made.

— — Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed.

— — Sources are below:

(1) http://www.canzukinternational.com/

(2) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Causes_of_the_vote_in_favour_of_Brexit

(3) http://www.canzukinternational.com/2018/08/canzuk-is-calling-will-britain-respond.html

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