should britain take back some of its former colonies and turn the map pink again

[CAPTAIN BIRDSEYE]

it strikes me with the mess in the middle east, that it would have been better all round if we had kept bahrain as a part of britain, cannot see the locals having anything to complain about had we done so, look the other places that we still own , good education, low crime, etc. good example of this is bermuda(good old goat)

 

[canveyshrimper]

it strikes me with the mess in the middle east, that it would have been better all round if we had kept bahrain as a part of britain, cannot see the locals having anything to complain about had we done so, look the other places that we still own , good education, low crime, etc. good example of this is bermuda(good old goat)

There's a flaw in your argument in the fact we never "had" Bahrain. The Middle East (Arabian/Persian Gulf) was always traditionally a British sphere of influence. Many of the Sheikhs/Kings & Emirs are British & Sandhurst educated. BP was actually formed from the old Anglo Iranian Oil Company, influenced by Churchill. Iraq, Jordan, The Trucial States (UAE), Kuwait, Qatar & Oman were largely influenced from London but generally self governing. Part of the country which now forms Yemen (Aden) was under the British flag, but gained independence after a civil war in the 60's.

Britain were so influential in the area as a buffer between the Ottoman/Turkish Empire, who Lawrence helped remove from much of Arabia during WWI. Palestine as it was was a British Protectorate as largely was Egypt. Most of the North African states, Algeria, Tunisia & Morocco were part of the French Empire and Libya under Italian control.

I've always been of the opinion that the British Empire was largely a force for good, and did introduce many British traits & traditions that still remain, even in countries that are no longer part of the Commonwealth.

 

[Rudi Luftwaffe]

I feel obliged to remind you that Britain is a former French, Italian and German colony.

 

[OldBlueLady]

I feel obliged to remind you that Britain is a former French, Italian and German colony.

Didn't the Nordic races have something to do with it too?

 

[canveyshrimper]

Didn't the Nordic races have something to do with it too?

Not since 1066. :winking:

 

[Smudger]

There's a flaw in your argument in the fact we never "had" Bahrain. The Middle East (Arabian/Persian Gulf) was always traditionally a British sphere of influence. Many of the Sheikhs/Kings & Emirs are British & Sandhurst educated. BP was actually formed from the old Anglo Iranian Oil Company, influenced by Churchill. Iraq, Jordan, The Trucial States (UAE), Kuwait, Qatar & Oman were largely influenced from London but generally self governing. Part of the country which now forms Yemen (Aden) was under the British flag, but gained independence after a civil war in the 60's.

Britain were so influential in the area as a buffer between the Ottoman/Turkish Empire, who Lawrence helped remove from much of Arabia during WWI. Palestine as it was was a British Protectorate as largely was Egypt. Most of the North African states, Algeria, Tunisia & Morocco were part of the French Empire and Libya under Italian control.

I've always been of the opinion that the British Empire was largely a force for good, and did introduce many British traits & traditions that still remain, even in countries that are no longer part of the Commonwealth.

Have to agree with most of that. I live in Bahrain and am pleased to say that the Brits are respected for what we did in setting them up as a functioning nation - many British touches still live on today too.

As to what has been happening here (about 5 minutes from my house) all I can say is the courage that the Bahrainis have shown is simply incredible. They don't have the weapons, army or influence but they have incredible guts and determination to see this through. It's been inspiring to witness it at first hand.

 

[Swiss Tony]

I feel obliged to remind you that Britain is a former French, Italian and German colony.

And we duffed them all up somewhere along the line,mugs.

 

[Dick Bate's Protege]

And we duffed them all up somewhere along the line,mugs.

As we did the Peace-Loving Pygmies of the Upper Volta. I believe one Edmund Blackadder made a name for himself there.

 

[CAPTAIN BIRDSEYE]

off to india soon, to do my bit to reclaim the empire, I wish I had a flywhisk and a pith helmet

 

[MK Shrimper]

off to india soon, to do my bit to reclaim the empire, I wish I had a flywhisk and a pith helmet

As England will be flying home in disgrace, do you want some tourist advice?