UK and OTs - GLOBAL VERSUS LOCAL

By Michael Jarvis, UK Correspondent

A new report has been published examining the existing and future relationship between the UK and its Overseas Territories, within the frame of ‘Global Britain’.

It’s written by Professor Peter Clegg, Dean and Head of the School of Social Sciences at the University of the West of England in Bristol, his colleague Dr Kate Matheson of the same institution, and Dr Maria Mut Bosque of the Universitat Internacional de Catalunya in Spain.

They state that the purpose of their report was to consider two key questions: First, what are the central aspects of the relationship between the UK and its Territories and how can they be enhanced? Second, how can the Territories support and enrich Global Britain?

THE BREXIT EFFECT

According to the authors, “Since the decision of the UK to leave the EU, the British Government has established and promoted the idea of ‘Global Britain’.

They say perhaps the clearest, but still largely unrecognised, manifestations of Global Britain are the UK’s Overseas Territories. “The Territories provide the UK with significant global reach. However, the UK’s sovereignty over several of them is contested,” they state.

“Because of Brexit and the notion of Global Britain there is an increasing amount of chatter, at least in some Territories, about what opportunities there might be for constitutional reform,” it notes.

GLOBAL BRITAIN...LOCAL OTs

The report argues that an open and wide-ranging approach should be taken, although there is a need for confidence-building measures and a recognition that the UK might become less involved if further autonomy is secured.

It also suggests that changes can be made in how Westminster and Whitehall in the UK, oversee and engage with the Territories.

“Under the umbrella of more effective governance, the Territories should consider how Belongerships and the role of local legislatures can be enhanced. In relation to economic matters, there are significant vulnerabilities and development challenges in many Territories.”

POLICY PRIORITIES

The report recommends that more should be done to explore options for diversification, particularly concerning climate change and environmental protection.

It points out that the environment is a key consideration because 94% of the biodiversity within the UK is located in the Territories.

An argument made for the UK Government to play more of a role in supporting the critical environmental challenges facing the Territories.

Similarly, on matters of social policy, it suggests that the UK could take a more active role in supporting Territory efforts to strengthen education and training opportunities, job creation, and tangible and productive links to the diaspora.

Issues related to human rights, particularly in the Caribbean Territories, are more contentious it notes, but says there are opportunities for more effective cooperation between the Territories and UK. And it proposes that media and telecommunication links, including with the BBC, ought to be rethought.

Regarding security and defence, the authors say, “These are clearly an important component of the relationship, but there are threats too.”

The UK’s exit from the EU has made its position less secure when it comes to the sovereignty of Gibraltar, the Falkland Islands, and even the Sovereign Base Areas in Cyprus, and further steps need to be taken to bolster the UK’s diplomatic standing, they argue.

UK PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY

According to the authors, their document can also be seen as a prelude to a high-profile inquiry by the British Parliament’s Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committees in the autumn.

That inquiry is currently accepting submissions from the public until September when it begins deliberations ahead of publishing its findings expected early by next year.