In the 1920s and 1930s as many Brits lived in Germany as there were Germans living in England. Amiable comings and goings; trade, social and education; tourist, cultural, sporting exchanges were commonplace.  Many Brits had investments in Germany and vice versa.

Much the same could be said of Finland, Romania, Hungary, Italy etc. As a Far Eastern country Japan’s ties with the U.S.A were on a similar scale. We all know what happened and goodness knows how many were interned when hostilities broke out.

So hypothetical question: Where would your loyalties lie if either Spain or the Uk were to be governed by a regime hostile to the other?

Imagine; displacement camps holding thousands of Brits in barrack like shelters on the suburnt plains of Spain so the costa coastlines are freed up for sea defences.

It couldn’t happen? It has   ...  throughout history. Right, I am off to make a cup of tea while I contemplate my allegiances, if any.

I believe my first priority would to assure the safety of my family and myself. If my personal values (or whatever) put me/us in danger, I would move to where I would not be in danger, if possible. My second priority would be to pledge allegiance to either side that is closer to my personal values.

I have dual citizenship (my father is brazilian and my mother is a spaniard) so I have strong ties with both countries. If in a hypothetical situation where Spain and Brazil engaged in war, I would take side with the one my personal values were closer to.

(I ask for forgiveness if I made any bad English mistake here, my English is a little rusty for lack of use)

Hlder your English is great.

Michael, it’s an interesting question. As a Canadian I’ve often pondered similar thoughts about Quebec vs. Canada. In the US it seems like it could fracture quite easily these days… just need a major terrorist act from one side on the other and the USA would become the Progressive States of America and the Confederate States of America in no time. Alternate names for the new countries suggested: United States of Canada; Jesusland.

Both the UK and Spain are democracies though - it would take a cataclysmic event for that to change, and thus, for them to end up on opposite sides of a war.

I’d choose Spain personally. 😉