so I’m not worthy
they say my world’s come, and gone
while I breath – it’s mine
Copyright Francis 2022
Haiku: Not Worthy?
Tag: independence
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December 11 1931 — The Statute of Westminster
In one of its more significant and, in fact, truly historic moves, the Westminster parliament in London approved the Statute of Westminster on this day, December 11 1931.
Whilst largely forgotten today, this act effectively began the major phase of reducing the power and reach of the British Empire, marking the beginning of the Commonwealth. The dominions of Canada, Newfoundland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Ireland were granted equal status and full autonomy, whilst still adhering allegiance to the Crown of Great Britain.
A lot has changed since then; Newfoundland is now a province of Canada (Newfoundland and Labrador since March 31 1949), for example. The Republic of Ireland is truly independent, whilst within the bounds of the EU.
Even the integrity of Great Britain itself has come under threat with strong nationalist movements in Wales and particularly Scotland.
Time will tell if the United Kingdom breaks apart, or re-constitutes itself, once outside the of the EU.
Copyright Francis Barker 2020
On This Day – The Passing of the Statute of Westminster
On this day in 1931 the Statute of Westminster was passed in the London parliament.
Over a period of time, it effectively gave total independence to parts of the British Empire, namely Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the Irish Free State, Canada and Newfoundland, the latter not being incorporated into the Dominion of Canada until 1949.
In retrospect it could be argued that the passing of the statute and its aftermath marked the beginning of the end of the British Empire and the tentative establishment of what is now the Commonwealth (formerly British Commonwealth), a loose gathering of self governing, sovereign nations with the Queen as head of state of many.
copyright Francis Barker 2019
Ciscography 