I'm not quite sure what your point is Chris, but you really ought to get out more ...

Chris, you've obviously been drinking too much warm British beer while watching the celebrations for Queen Elizabeth's sixty years on the throne.

And you must have been drinking with a group of 'pommy whingers' who think they are superior to all Australians although, when asked, they never really produce a convincing argument as to why.

The worst legacy that Britain left us with is the idea that we must be subservient to another nation. First it was Britain, then, after the British Empire went 'poof', we moved our subservience to America, the land where slavery and native genocide got a head start.

Chris, why don't you move to Britain and become an expert in brolly furling and class distinction?

http://dangerouscreation.com

Chris Lewis,

I agree, Australia has a "great British Legacy", particularly those political institutions that we inherited from the UK. 100 years ago Argentina was predicted to leave Australia far behind in economic development, it possessed all the necessary advantages, instead Argentina has experienced a more or less continuous state of political and economic crisis since. The crucial difference between the two countries is those institutions we, and other settler societies, inherited from Britain.

That said, I'd distinguish the British legacy from our relationship with the nation state itself, Britain has proved to be an unreliable "friend and ally." So, the question-- "What have the British ever done for us?" has two answers.
The reliance on "great and powerful friends" is not Britain's fault, but ours.

Interesting informed and erudite article Chris. Yes, The Brits usually brought with them a sense of inherent decency and fair play, embodied in the phrase, I say old chap, that's just not cricket, what?
That said, that was very much part of yesterday's, bowlers and brollies Britain?
They appear to have passed the baton of inherent fair play; and or, progressive social justice, as identified in the article, onto other younger nations or former colonies; given, it as a concept of fair play, that simply ignores cultural or ethnic difference, seems to have emanated in the colonies; and or, the magnanimous colonial public service, trying to keep warring factions from destroying themselves or each other?
We, India, and other like-minded democratic societies, seemed to have picked up this innocent until proved guilty baton, for whatever that is worth?
And as perceived as fair-minded by other nations, trusted with free trade and treaty arrangements and so on?
If only we could decide all international conflicts/disagreements, with a few games of test cricket, which also requires the alluded to ticker! Rhrosty.

The first time I have read anything good written about Britain in the Australian public domain, usually the opposite, blaming Britain and its peoples for all what is apparently wrong in the Australian world.
As an Anglophile I must admit to a personal interest.
There is much to admire in the British way of life, not least its justice system based upon common law and the premise that one is innocent until proven guilty. Its model of parliamentary democracy, its sense of fair play, of not kicking a man when he is down, its peoples innate decency,etc. Quite a number of these admirable qualities have been retained in Australia following self determination and remain the backbone of our stability, our way of life,indeed our very prosperity.

I agree with the sentiments here. Many of those who like to fulsomely criticise Britain and the British fail to remember that Australia is what it is today because it was settled under British rule. There's a lot of reinventing of history that goes on, largely for self-serving purposes.

That's not to say everything was always rosy, or that British economic, foreign and defence policies have have always served us well (plainly they haven't). But it possible to grow apart while remaining essentially of the same view. I think that is the particular genius of Australia relative to Britain.

We have our own independent institutions and have had for many years. These will continue to evolve (as will Britain's in its own unique context). But fundamentally Australia, along with New Zealand and Canada, remains on the same page as Britain. This is a benefit. It's nothing to do with independence and everything to do with common sense, fundamental decency, and a commitment to the rule of law.