Our way or the highway ? that is the message from Britain to its remaining colonies.

Lord Triesman, the Minister responsible for the Overseas Territories, again pledged Britain would not stand in the way of countries wanting Independence.

But he also reaffirmed that the UK would not let anything go among territories it was still responsible for.

In a speech delivered this week in the Turks and Caicos, which is is moving towards greater self government, Lord Triesman said most of the territories were flourishing. And four of them ? Bermuda, Cayman, the British Virgin Islands, and the Falkland Islands ? report per capita GDPs greater than that of the UK.

He lauded the low levels of crime while also sounding a warning about a rise in serious crime.

Further success was underpinned by pillars by good governance, including the rule of law, protection of the environment and human rights.

In that context it was necessary to look at the constitutional relationship between the UK and the territories, said Lord Triesman.

?The UK has no desire for any territory to remain British against its people?s wishes.

?However, if the people of a territory wish to retain the British link, then the UK will continue to honour its responsibilities for it. As long as the UK retains those responsibilities, it needs to be in a position where it can discharge them properly.?

Logically that meant the UK needed to retain sufficient powers to do that said Lord Triesman, with the Governor playing a vital role in ensuring high standards in public service, the Police, the judiciary, aviation and maritime security and human rights.

The option of free association, put forward by the UN, in which territories draw up their own constitutions was unacceptable said Lord Triesman.

With that option the UK would retain all the responsibilities for the territory but would not be able to ensure it had the powers to fulfil those responsibilities.

?I am sure you understand this is a position which we could not responsibly put ourselves in.

?So our aim is to work for a relationship with the territory Government which satisfies the needs of both sides,? said Lord Triesman.

He said the other option put forward by UN General Assembly resolution 1541, other than Independence, was fully integrating colonies with Britain but that was unlikely to find favour.

The Minister said the shared goal of good governance discussed at last year?s Overseas Territories Consultative Council saw general agreement among the territories that this involved:

impartial enforcement of the rule of law

an independent judiciary free from any external influence

an impartial and effective police force

and a public service free from political interference in its appointments, discipline and dismissals, which implements policy in accordance with the rule of law and internationally accepted standards.

Lord Triesman said good governance also meant transparency in decision making according to defined rules.

?Government institutions and the legislature, as well as private sector organisations, must be accountable to the people.

?Governmental institutions must be subject to checks and balances. Civil society, including a strong independent media and representative NGOs (non-governmental organisations), play a key role in this.

?The public should feel they have a stake in, and access to, Government, and that services and benefits are available to all on an equal, objective basis.?

Following last year?s intensive hurricane season, disaster planning remains high on the UK agenda, said the Minister.

?The UK continues to make available assistance to the territories through advisers, a rapid deployment team, help with capability reviews, and emergency aid from Royal Navy vessels in the region.

?But it is important the territories themselves also take the necessary steps to ensure they are best placed to cope with any disaster.?