Back to the future: it’s just not cricket

YOUR columnist Steven King (October 6) recently advocated rejoining the British Commonwealth.

I admit that a total rethink of what Ireland stands for is long overdue. The Ireland we all knew is evolving at a phenomenal rate and it may take decades before we can truly understand how much has changed in the past 30 years or so.

My guess is that when that time comes, joining the then EEC will rank as the greatest catalyst for positive change.

It allowed us to retake our rightful place in the league of European nations, helped open up new markets, while it also acted as the springboard for US investment on a massive scale here.

Ireland has absolutely nothing to gain from rejoining the British Commonwealth, but everything to lose. Our three largest trading partners are the US, Britain and Belgium, and to claim that it would open new markets to Ireland is just wishful thinking.

Steven King claims that Mandela’s leading South Africa back into the Commonwealth is somehow aspirational misses the point of the great man’s action... it was an astute move to bring a politically isolated South Africa into a trading sphere.

I challenge Steven King to submit just one beneficial reason why Ireland would be better in the Commonwealth. Just one, and playing cricket does not count.

Alan O Maonaigh

Tír Chroghán

Co An Mhí