Report calls for new era in OT relations
Britain’s Conservative opposition has called for a new era in relations between the UK and its Overseas Territories.
A policy paper by Conservative Friends of Overseas Territories was launched this month at the party’s conference, in the presence Wendy Morton, the Shadow OTs Minister, fellow Conservative MPs and Peers.
A New Era of Partnership: Sovereignty, Security and Sustainability — Redefining the UK Relationship with the Overseas Territories argues that the relationship needs a long-term reset, placing self-government, democratic representation, territorial security and sustainable prosperity at its heart.
Proposals include giving each of the 14 OTs a dedicated representation in the House of Lords, and giving governments a permanent Westminster voice on matters affecting their constitutional position, security, international relationships and wider interests.
The paper adds that this representation should strengthen, not replace, the democratic authority of each territory’s elected government and legislature.
A total of 39 recommendations across four pillars are set out in the report. They focus on governance and constitutional reform; security and resilience; the environment, sustainable development and tourism; and sustainable economic development.
The paper also calls for greater OT participation in international diplomacy, annual reporting to Parliament on progress, improved access to UK education and public-service training and stronger collaboration on food, water and energy resilience.
An excerpt from the report’s introduction states: “The Overseas Territories are vital to a shared notion of collective British foreign, security, environmental and economic policy.
“The OTs are sovereign British territory, stretching from the South Atlantic to the Caribbean, the Mediterranean to the Pacific. They are home to British citizens who look to Westminster for security, consistency and partnership.
“However, for too long, that partnership has been treated as an afterthought rather than a priority.
“CFOT exists to challenge that.”
Giles Roca, chief executive of CFOT, said the OTs deserved a relationship with the UK that reflects their “strategic importance, respects their democratic self-government and gives them a meaningful voice in decisions that affect their future”.
“The current relationship is piecemeal, and is based on a strategy that has not been updated in 15 years,” Mr Roca said.
He added: “From defending sovereignty and strengthening security to protecting extraordinary natural environments and unlocking sustainable economic opportunities, this is about building a new partnership for a new age that works for people across all the Overseas Territories.”
The proposals are intended to inform the development of a future UK — Overseas Territories policy framework and encourage sustained discussion about the constitutional, security, environmental and economic dimensions of the relationship.
Conservative Friends of the Overseas Territories was established in September 2024 as a special interest group and has over 50 Conservative MPs and Peers as members and exists to champion the OTs within the Conservative Party and beyond.
• To view the report, see Related Media
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