Linas, dear boy, you are entitled to your own opinions but not your own facts! UK NET I repeat NET contributions were second to Germany who, to all intents run the EU. As to gross contributions it's not a simple GDP multiple as you infer. I think you are confused with NATO GDP based contributions of which the UK and Greece come anywhere near their original commitments. As to the British Empire, well as it was never a formal entity therefore it couldn't end as such. But of course it still has 14.overseas territories, the Commonwealth and has gifted the world the English Language of which you are just one of billions of recipients. As to our aggressive behaviour, well, as Christopher Columbus opined "One does not discover new lands without consenting to losing sight of the shore for a very long time. Would you have that courage? If not then be thankful that you are standing on the shoulders of giants my friend.