Sorry if I didn' mention whatever a part of the Commonwealth you're from t ...
Flash's use of the "Old Commonwealth" = Oz, NZ, Canada India (maybe) and I'd guess you would add in South Africa but they certainly aren't a help in improving our strategic position..........
Too many Brits of a certain age think all we have to do is turn up waving a Union Jack, holding a picture of the Queen and refer to "our old comrades in arms" and all will be well. They have totaly forgotton the points you make -that we ditched them without ceremony when it suited us and they have had to make their own way in a turbulent world.
Now we've decided to take our ball away and no longer play with the Europeans we exepct them all to come flocking round and be gratefll we're offering them a chance to play with us again.........
I fear disapointment ahead.....