I was pleased to speak in a debate in the House of Commons this afternoon on the importance and future of the British Overseas Territories. There are 16 of them around the world, including Gibraltar and the Falklands; Anguilla, BVI, and Cayman; Bermuda, Montserrat and Turks and Caicos; Montserrat; St Helena and Tristan da Cunha; and the smallest of all, Pitcairn with just 36 inhabitants. They are all part of Britain’s global family, with the King as sovereign.
As I heard yesterday during the Parliamentary Conference of Overseas Territories, each has its own characteristics, strengths and challenges, so it was good to see them getting the voice they need today in Parliament.
In my speech, I stressed that it is our duty to offer support, but not impose it. Most importantly, it is crucial to safeguard the Territories’ right to self-determination – a point that was made crystal clear to me during my visit to the Falklands in February with the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme.
We have strong historical, cultural and social ties with the OTs, so I was very pleased to hear the Government reaffirm its strong commitment to them at the end of the debate.
