Malta, and iirc a couple other island colonies were kicked out of the british empire back in the day. Malta's especially came right after a referendum which vot

Malta, and iirc a couple other island colonies were kicked out of the british empire back in the day. Malta's especially came right after a referendum which voted to remain as part of the UK and actually to integrate closer, but it wasn't popular in the UK as the island was costly to keep and no longer relevant as a naval base due to changing strategic concerns.