UK gov't to reset relationship with OTs- PM Starmer
Prime Minister Starmer was speaking during the UK-Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Council (JMC) meeting on November 21, 2024. Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) participated in the JMC meeting this week from November 18 to 22, 2024.
Not a remote relationship- PM Starmer
The UK Prime Minister said, as this is a new government, he wanted to make it clear and without doubt that “we want to reset the government’s relationship with our Overseas Territories and that’s part of a bigger piece of work that we’re doing resetting on the international stage -being clear about the role of the UK in an ever more volatile world - but that does include the reset with you”.
To the leaders of the overseas territories who were present, including the Virgin Islands’ Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Wheatley, PM Starmer said the relationship is not a “remote” one.
“You know who we are and how to get hold of us and how to have a discussion on any issues that are of importance to you,” he added.
Promise to be a government of service as part of reset- PM Starmer
Prime Minister Starmer continued that the day following the UK election, he said the new government would try to be a government of service.
“That is a defining feature of this government, it drives everything that we do, and it will drive the reset in our relationship with you as well. So that sense of real service and personal connection.”
The reset also includes an ironclad commitment to democratic autonomy and the overseas territories’ right to self-determination, the UK Prime Minister stated.
“It’s working in partnership on the issues that matter to us all. Partnership is an important word - with a commitment to the principle of “nothing about you without you.” So there’s a partnership there, we work together, and that is the basis that is important. And it means listening to your concerns. I’m a great believer in the power of face-to-face contact and listening to what people have to say,” he added.
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15 Responses to “UK gov't to reset relationship with OTs- PM Starmer”
these are serious times Mr Politicians
In regards to the Virgin Islands (VI) (British), the UK has had full control of the Virgin Islands. Further, after WW II, in 1946, the newly formed UN( formerly League of Nations) launched a non-self government territories(NSGT) initiative. Its initial list comprise 72 NSGTs, including the VI; 17 remains, including the the VI. Moreover, the UN tasked the UK as the Administering Power for the VI with responsibility for guiding it towards a full measure of self-governing. Today, it is characterized as a self-governing territory. Nonetheless, self-governing without real self-governing power, is self-governing in theory. IMO, the current constitutional arrangement with the UK ( 2007) is a dependency-modeled constitution with the UK having unilateral power, ie, reserve power, power of assent, etc. Moreover, any devolve powers granted can be easily reversed without perhaps any serious consultation with people. In fact, the VI constitution is currently suspended through an order in council; it is being held in abeyance.
Other UK leaders have declared that the UK and OTs are one close family. PM Starmer is talking about resetting the clock/partnering , democratic autonomy, self-determination ‘ etc. A well writen and delivered speech or a well written position paper or memorandum, etc., is not as important as actions , the actions of words..What is done is more important than what is said, typically.