Radio 4’s Today programme featured a fascinating snippet from the national archives of 1956, when the then French Prime Minister Guy Mollet proposed Britain and France form a Union. When that was rebuffed, there was further talk about France joining the commonwealth (taking the Queen as its head of state along the way).
Of course the reaction in the streets of France today is one of disbelief. No record seems to exist their regarding the proposal. I’m sure the reaction on this side of the channel is similar - It was with me when I woke up to the news. Of course, politics was a key factor - Suez was just around the corner, so politics was by necessity in an unusual place. But I do have great difficulty in believing that simply because one head of state proposed to another that something like this take place, that it would ever have proceeded, much less be taken seriously by two countries with a, shall we say, somewhat turbulent past. Sure, the English and the Scots could be said to have had (and do) have much to dislike, however there was a strong appetite here for union in 1707 (Darien project) considerably helping on the Scottish side), unlike I’d suggest between Britain and France, shared recent war history not withstanding.
It all makes for a fascinating story. I’m almost surprised they didn’t hold on to it until August’s ’silly season’ when all we have to look forward to is the repeated “exam’s are getting easier”, or why we’re all doomed because Prescott’s in charge (or whomever it Deputy PM this time around).
When the article says that Henri Soutou, professor of contemporary history at Paris’s Sorbonne University, splutters and almost falls of his chair, they’re not kidding. Certainly an amusing and interesting diversion, and one that I’m sure will fascinate contemporary historians for a few days.
