... except much poorer with fewer prospects ...
So, according to you, a country should remain ruled by an empire if that country was to become poorer if it gained its independence.
And here's me thinking you were anti-imperialist, anti-empire.
Or is it the case that Britain is the first country in history which has to look at the economic case for independence? I don't think the Americans and Indians put economics first. Their priority was independence and self-governance.