On March 10, 2023, a Franco-British summit took place between British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and French President Emmanuel Macron. On this occasion, the UK-France Business Forum wrote them a letter to support companies in relation to cross-border mobility, technology and climate innovation.

Little Britain, literally “Little Britain”, is situated in the heart of the City of London’s financial district. Can one believe again in the ideas and energy of one of the most dynamic and diverse cities in the world: London, the sixth largest French city? Are the Bretons of London the equivalent of Brittany’s sixth largest city, Saint-Malo (46,803 inhabitants)? In Abu Dhabi, Boris Johnson underlined: “I am the mayor of the eighth emirate” (I am the mayor of the eighth emirate). The formula was chosen with care as it took into account the federalism of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates: namely Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Umm al Quwain, Ajman, Ras el Khaimah and Fujairah. To emphasize how safe the British capital is, he pointed out: “In New York you are five times more likely to be murdered.”

As a historical reminder: in ancient times, the Roman conquests had united “little” Brittany and Britain within the same territory: Britannia. “The farthest land and last boulevard of liberty,” wrote Tacitus.

In light of the fallout from Brexit, the UK government has disclosed to Hong Kong how it intends to project itself into a “second Elizabethan golden age of trade and investment”. Such a scenario was reminiscent of the first Golden Age of the Elizabethan period, marked by the sinking of the Great Spanish Armada and the beginning of an era of prosperity stimulated by maritime trade and innovation.

Alongside an independent and European Scotland, Irish reunification, London is paving the way for a new ‘city-state’ model. A column by London MP David Lammy: “London should become a city-state after hard Brexit” cited the examples of Singapore and its 1965 secession from Malaysia, Hong Kong with mainland China, or even old examples of thalassocracies like Rome and Athens.

A campaign “It’s time for London’s independence as a European city-state” sets out a set of priorities, the main proposals of which are as follows:

1/ Explain the intention to move towards London’s independence from the UK as a European city-state. Finding a clear path to political and economic independence from an increasingly xenophobic and narrow-minded British government and planning for London to become a European city-state by the 2030s is important.

2/ Issue a TfL London Pass connecting Londoners to European capitals, for example, on the Eurostar. A digital passport for all Londoners connected to European cities, containing a negotiated reciprocal working arrangement to maintain and grow personal and professional connections with Europe and the rest of the world.

3/ Restoration of local democracy with compulsory voting in local elections for all Londoners over 16 and a new bicameral assembly in London. London will join Australia and other countries in making voting compulsory for charities with a £10 fine if they don’t exercise the right to vote. This would encourage participation and increase commitment to local democracy.