# Make the UK the 51st state! **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 29, 2016, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-the-uk-the-51st-state/758737 "2016-06-29T21:52:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2016, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-the-uk-the-51st-state/758737/21 "2016-06-30T03:33:01Z")
It would be sort of the national equivalent of taking in your aged parents to live with you. ---
**Author:** ![penultima\_thule](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penultima_thule/32/3833_2.png) [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2016, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-the-uk-the-51st-state/758737/22 "2016-06-30T04:32:40Z")
> [@XT](#): > > We just make June the 23rd Independence Day as well. Now you’re talking. You can have two Independence Days, a Reunification Day, A Queen’s Birthday and for equality a President’s Birthday all being celebrated with brass bands, Busby hats and flintlock muskets. Recitals of Magna Carta and the Declaration. Biggest problem is going to be the synchronisation of spelling. Should have happened back in Ronnie and Maggie’s day. ---
**Author:** ![mr\_wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5e9695/32.png) [@mr\_wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mr_wolf)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2016, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-the-uk-the-51st-state/758737/23 "2016-06-30T12:16:03Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > The great thing about Wales is how much you can save on keyboards. You only need the letters “L”, “W”, “D”, and “Y”. OMG. I’m sorry but now I will have to spread that one over here. I will give you credit for it, John. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2016, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-the-uk-the-51st-state/758737/24 "2016-06-30T12:22:25Z")
In all seriousness it would be by far the largest State and so would be too powerful in the House and not powerful enough in the Senate and so politically would be acceptable by nobody. And splitting into 3 states would be a non starter obviously. On the other hand, if _Scotland_ were to beg to join the US, despite its economic differences, I don’t think that there would be as much political opposition in America since its influence in the House would be less. Now, why they would _want_ to join is another story. ---
**Author:** ![howye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9adbd/32.png) [@howye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/howye)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2016, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-the-uk-the-51st-state/758737/25 "2016-06-30T13:21:06Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > In all seriousness it would be by far the largest State and so would be too powerful in the House and not powerful enough in the Senate and so politically would be acceptable by nobody. And splitting into 3 states would be a non starter obviously. > > On the other hand, if _Scotland_ were to beg to join the US, despite its economic differences, I don’t think that there would be as much political opposition in America since its influence in the House would be less. Now, why they would _want_ to join is another story. Well there is the common interest in deep frying the shit out of everything. Plus they kinda already want to tell the English to shove off, which we have experience at. I think we could make it work. ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2016, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-the-uk-the-51st-state/758737/26 "2016-06-30T14:11:34Z")
> [@howye](#): > > Well there is the common interest in deep frying the shit out of everything. Plus they kinda already want to tell the English to shove off, which we have experience at. I think we could make it work. The Scots invented the Deep Fried Mars Bar. That’s halfway to being American already. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2016, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-the-uk-the-51st-state/758737/27 "2016-06-30T15:04:58Z")
> [@mr\_wolf](#): > > OMG. I’m sorry but now I will have to spread that one over here. I will give you credit for it, John. Please don’t. It’s a really, really old joke that Welsh looks funny / uses stupid letters / sounds funny, and it’s basically a way of saying “English is superior.” When you can come up with a spelling system rooted in history that is internally consistent from word to word, THEN you can make fun of Welsh. Until then, please stick to making fun of your own language, or at least languages that you know. (I know, it’s just a joke! Lighten up, Francis! Anyone who is offended is the problem! The language was asking for it when it got drunk and wore all those Ws and Ys!) ---
**Author:** ![Me\_Billy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e480ec/32.png) [@Me\_Billy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Me_Billy)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2016, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-the-uk-the-51st-state/758737/28 "2016-06-30T15:07:49Z")
And just WHO is going to sew an additional star on all those U.S. flags? Do you have any idea how many U.S. flags there are? ---
**Author:** ![UberArchetype](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/2bfe46/32.png) [@UberArchetype](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UberArchetype)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2016, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-the-uk-the-51st-state/758737/29 "2016-06-30T15:13:20Z")
> [@XT](#): > > Make the UK the 51st State! I suppose it might be doable, but only if preceded by a large-scale invasion, ransacking and pillaging culminating with a ceremonial hanging of the royal family just outside the Buckingham Palace gate. Followed of course, by a rigged national vote for statehood. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2016, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-the-uk-the-51st-state/758737/30 "2016-06-30T15:24:17Z")
Given that a big driver of the Leave sentiment was the sense that the UK had lost too much of its sovereignty by becoming part of the EU…nope. This idea, fanciful or not, is an utter non-starter. ---
**Author:** ![skdo23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@skdo23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/skdo23)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2016, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-the-uk-the-51st-state/758737/31 "2016-06-30T16:19:37Z")
> [@Me\_Billy](#): > > And just WHO is going to sew an additional star on all those U.S. flags? > > Do you have any idea how many U.S. flags there are? If the past is any guide, people will just buy new flags. ---
**Author:** ![Two\_Many\_Cats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Two\_Many\_Cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2016, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-the-uk-the-51st-state/758737/32 "2016-06-30T18:13:37Z")
Only if they bring their nationalized healthcare. Oh, and their double cream. And gun control laws. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2016, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-the-uk-the-51st-state/758737/33 "2016-06-30T18:22:10Z")
Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. To qualify as the 51st state they’ll have to agree to put ice in cold drinks. And take the “f” out of “lieutenant”. ---
**Author:** ![mascaroni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dc4da7/32.png) [@mascaroni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mascaroni)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2016, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-the-uk-the-51st-state/758737/34 "2016-06-30T18:50:56Z")
> [@Me\_Billy](#): > > And just WHO is going to sew an additional star on all those U.S. flags? > > Do you have any idea how many U.S. flags there are? I think you’ll find your old masters in the new United States of Great Britain and its Former Colonies will keep the Union flag. ---
**Author:** ![mascaroni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dc4da7/32.png) [@mascaroni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mascaroni)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2016, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-the-uk-the-51st-state/758737/35 "2016-06-30T18:53:54Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. > > To qualify as the 51st state they’ll have to agree to put ice in cold drinks… Pimms, anyone? Or if you prefer a G & T… > [@](#): > > And take the “f” out of “lieutenant”. Never! ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2016, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-the-uk-the-51st-state/758737/36 "2016-06-30T19:03:36Z")
And who’d be responsible to flip all the roads over so they’d drive on the right side of the roads? ---
**Author:** ![mascaroni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dc4da7/32.png) [@mascaroni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mascaroni)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2016, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-the-uk-the-51st-state/758737/37 "2016-06-30T19:15:56Z")
> [@cmyk](#): > > And who’d be responsible to flip all the roads over so they’d drive on the right side of the roads? It’s you lot over the pond that drive on the wrong side of the road. We drive on the right side of the road, which is left, right? ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2016, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-the-uk-the-51st-state/758737/38 "2016-06-30T21:04:47Z")
> [@Me\_Billy](#): > > And just WHO is going to sew an additional star on all those U.S. flags? > > Do you have any idea how many U.S. flags there are? That’s already taken care of. Every flag that was ever the official flag of the USA is still a valid flag. Yes, all the way back to the pine tree flag. On national holidays, I fly the Betsy Ross 13-stars-in-a-circle flag. (Sure, Betsy may be an ancient urban legend, but “her” flag is a very real thing.) Pick your favorite, and fly it. Some flag makers offer all of them. ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2016, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-the-uk-the-51st-state/758737/39 "2016-06-30T21:34:17Z")
Soccer hooligans with easy access to guns? Yeah, great idea. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2016, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-the-uk-the-51st-state/758737/40 "2016-06-30T21:49:17Z")
Isn’t there an amendment somewhere that says any individuals in the new State, each receive a pie? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-the-uk-the-51st-state/758737.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-the-uk-the-51st-state/758737.md?page=3)