alternatehistory.com

Several European countries - France most prominently, but also the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal and Italy (during their dictatorships) - integrated at least some of their colonies directly into their polities. Examples include the French overseas departments; Ceuta, Melilla, and the Canaries vis-a-vis Spain; Madeira and the Azores for Portugal; the Dutch overseas cities (formerly part of the Netherlands Antilles), etc.

Why did this never occur with the UK and its colonies (except for Ireland)? I know there was some consideration given to annexing and integrating Malta in the 1950s, and some who advocate integration of Gibraltar. But other than that, why did the British never themselves see fit to annex some of their West Indies, Atlantic, Indian Ocean or Pacific territories as the French did? Was local opposition stronger than in French colonies? Or did the Brits just never have the interest, and if so, why not?
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