Chairman of UK Parliament Group on OTs to visit
A British MP who helps oversee the British Overseas Territories will arrive in Bermuda on Monday for a three day visit.Andrew Rosindell is visiting in his role as Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on the British Overseas Territories.According to a press release issued yesterday by Government House, he is set to meet Premier Paula Cox and other politicians, Chief Justice Richard Ground and Auditor General Heather Jacobs Matthews.He will also visit the Bermuda Regiment, the Bermuda Police Service and Dellwood Middle School in Hamilton.Mr Rosindell, 44, is also chairman of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee.His visit comes three years after that committee conducted an inquiry into the Overseas Territories.It made a series of recommendations for Bermuda including phasing out conscription to the Bermuda Regiment, reviewing voting rights for long-term residents, outlawing discrimination based on sexual orientation and bringing in freedom of information legislation.Government is working on the issues of sexual orientation and freedom of information. However, controversy is ongoing over conscription and voting rights. Mr Rosindell is a Conservative party politician and represents Romford, in Essex, which is near London.According to biographical details supplied by Government House his special political interests include the British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies, Foreign and Commonwealth affairs, animal welfare, European affairs, Constitutional affairs, law and order and defence.Before entering politics on a full-time basis he was a freelance journalist and public relations consultant.According to the British Broadcasting Corporation website he is known for being a “right wing populist” who is anti-Europe. He became famous for campaigning with his dog, Spike, whom he dressed in a union flag waistcoat.His personal website www.rosindell.com carries the slogans “Fighting for England” and “Putting Britain First”.