Colonialism won't spread?

[Trin Tragula]

So basically it so happens europe won't get colonialism until/or after the next institution fires?
*saying this because the spain player killed portugal and isn't going to colonise, and even then it wouldn't spread accross europe quick enough.

Spread across sea tiles is only for countries with positive relations.
Anyone with colonies in the new world will get growth in their ports however. If nobody is colonizing you won't see much spread and that's more or less intended (seems a bit odd for Spain not to colonize though both as it denies the institution and as its most likely missing out on the colonies themselves but I guess that's up to him/her).
If you want it to spread you will have to either colonize in the new world, be near someone else who does or have France befriend England.
Depending on who is human/ai you might also consider conquering land in or adjacent to the British isles yourself.

 

[Dnote]

Still, look on the bright side, everyone on mainland Europe is in the same position tech wise, so it isn't like just you're behind.