Premier’s UK visit postponed
Plans by David Burt to meet Bermudians studying in the UK next week have been postponed.
The Premier was to host two “dinner and dialogue” events with students in London and Nottingham on November 10 and 11.
Also on Mr Burt’s agenda for the trip was the annual meeting of the Joint Ministerial Council, in which overseas territories leaders meet up with UK Government ministers.
But because of the recent double change in administrations in Whitehall and with a new Minister of State for the Overseas Territories – Zac Goldsmith – only appointed today, the JMC meeting has been postponed to a date still to be decided.
A government spokeswoman said: “The Government of Bermuda London office advises Bermudians in the United Kingdom that the two Bermuda dinner and dialogue events, previously set to be held in London and Nottingham will be postponed to coincide with the JMC.
“Bermudians who have registered with the London office will be kept up-to-date via e-mail of future opportunities for dinner and dialogue.
The London Office encourages all Bermudians in the UK to continue to register with the office here.
Mr Goldsmith, whose official title is The Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park, has had a high-profile career in British politics.
The son of a billionaire businessman, Mr Goldsmith was expelled from top private school Eton College when cannabis was discovered in his room.
He became a conservative MP in 2010, serving under the Premiership of David Cameron. However, he resigned in 2016 after the Government backed plans for the expansion of Heathrow Airport – as a keen conservationist, the development went against Lord Goldsmith’s concern for the environment.
Lord Goldsmith had reason to mention Bermuda during Tuesday’s sitting of the House of Lords.
Asked by Lord Blencathra why the Governor of the Falkland Islands was given a full dress uniform that was not made available to the Governors of the other overseas territories, Lord Goldsmith replied: “Since 2001, Government policy has been that overseas territories should decide whether they wish to retain and fund ceremonial uniforms for Governors.
“The Governments of the Falkland Islands and Bermuda have chosen to retain the uniforms. The Governors of Gibraltar have traditionally worn military uniform.”
Standing as in independent, he lost the subsequent by-election.
He had another stint in Parliament between 2017 and 2019, serving for a few months as Minister of State in Boris Johnson’s Cabinet.
Although he lost his seat again in the December 2019 General Election, Lord Goldsmith was awarded a life peerage and continued to serve as a minister while sitting in the House of Lords.
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