Please use this space to comment on other issues relevant to the UK strategy for Overseas Territories. If you prefer to submit a question or feedback privately, please contact us by email or via the contact form.
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The public consultation is now closed.
All the responses received will be studied and will help inform the Government’s strategy for the Overseas Territories as we prepare for the publication of a new White Paper in 2012, which will set out in detail this Government’s approach to the Overseas Territories.
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Britain still aspires to global eminence and global leadership. The right to these things has to be demonstrated. The map of the world is no longer mostly pink. But how many other countries have fourteen overseas territories that remain connected because of the wishes of their peoples. The world should be made aware of this, and not by a half-hour documentary once a year. Perhaps this would enhance co-operation and joint ventures between the Territories and nearby friendly countries. The Falkland Islands, South Georgia, South Sandwich Islands with Chile and South Africa, the Caribbean Territories and the United States, the British Indian Ocean Territory and Australia and New Zealand. And it should not be forgotten that we may want to reforge trade links in these areas when the European Union disintegrates or the British people get their way and leave.
A most important thing is for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to put aside old ideas. None of these Territories are counters in a world game to be moved and manipulated in Britain’s interests. They are communities of loyal people who deserve Britain’s assistance, defence, guidance and support ahead of any other country. The we can properly hold our heads up and there may, once again, be a reason to call our country Great Britain.
Personally I welcome the current UK Government’s move on the UKOT’s, the stance that is now being taken, along with the apparent determination and commitment being displayed. I believe that this is long overdue, and hope that the relationship shared, not only between the UK and its OT’s but also between the OT’s themselves, will improve to mutual benefit, understanding and partnership working.
My view as well is the same as yours concerning the partnerships of different regions and OT’s to work together on projects to enhance the effectiveness of their ministries, departments and units.
The UK should play a more direct role in ensuring that International human rights standards are adhered to in its OT’s. An example is the fact that I ahve lived in Bermuda for over 30 years and cannot apply for Bermuda status. The fact that I am treated as a second class citizen with no vote and a restricted right to own property or business in Bermuda is far from the standard espoused by the UK and many many other civilized countries. despit Mr. Foots call for a close look to be made by the Bermuda government, I have no reason to believe that anything has been done to further this cause for “permanent residents”.
The UK should open up the British ‘armed forces to the Territories it will keep the young people out of trouble.
The UK should not allow people that are guest workers or on work permits to determine the future or destiny of the Cayman Islands.many of them have very liberal views that are not compatible with our traditional values nor our culture.The rules from the UK must stipulate support of respect for the rules and traditions of this territory as a ‘Christian nation.And they must respect our beliefs and Traditional family values.
We have a huge problem with unqualified visitors, guest workers or non-Caymanians who wish to aggressively seek input to the UK and various forums where the Caymanians should have a voice, they are drowned out by x-pats who seek to rule them and govern them. This is unfair and they need to understand that they have an opportunity to make rules in their country but Caymanians must be respected and the UK needs to support this cause. The constitution and bill of rights belongs to the people of the ‘cayman Islands. X-pat rights relate to international human rights. The UK need to clearly state that.
We do not want any same sex marriages in the Cayman Islands.
We do not want any extreme liberalism. We do not want any changes in the age of consent. We definitely do not want an adult to engage in any intimate activity with our children.
News media detest politicians suing them or threatening law suits for defamation, libel and slander.
However, there is another legal issue to be addressed. News media has autocratically blocked and absconded local contributors to forums that oppose their favorite or supporting party politician or elected official. This is gross bias and prejudiced and is racial or social and political descrimination on the part of the news media offering forum participation.
The UK needs to outlaw such a practice, as if a news media do not want to be sued by a politician or the public then vice versa they should not provoke a situation to get sued by someone who contributes to their news forums and get blocked by the news media just because they did not like what they said about their favorite MLA. The persons making comments did not make any libeling or slanderous or defaming comments they were just offering constructive criticism. The UK needs to protect consumers and web users in the territories from these media editors who think they have the last word. We need clear legislation on this and in the Bll of Rights to protect forum users from News Media and online news papers especially. Some have blocked users without an explanation and without notice while remaining in denial of any knowledge that they absconded the person’s email /account with them or blocked their IP address. We need protection from online media in the Cayman Islands.
We need proper separation of church and state. Many Caymanians like to deceive themselves into believing that we are a “Christian Nation” which is not the case. Yes, we were founded on Christian beliefs, but times have changed and the local populace has as well. You should be entitled to have your own beliefs but the labelling of the Cayman Islands as a “Christian Nation” needs to stop, the Ministers association has too much influence on the political decisions that arise within our country.
Having a minister as a member of the Human Rights Commission will lead to biases; our current constitution is biased because the influence the church has. Young homosexual Caymanians and the handicapped have limited provisions provided against discrimination all because of the high level of influence.
As a young homosexual Caymanian myself I find this appalling, we are not a threat and from growing up in this “Christian Nation” we have seen that the lack of tolerance for people of different beliefs and backgrounds will be our ruin.
We need to teach tolerance, people need to realise that it is separate from acceptance. The world is a very diverse place and it is time that these small Islands grew up and understood this.
A needed new constitution is needed for the entire UK and territories so equality, equal citizens rights, mutual respect between all parts of Britain work effectively especially between the central government and all of the autonomous regions, dependencies ,territories and countries. Also, economic, social and freedom of speech rights and freedom of faith be the rights of every citizen and resident of the new Britain.
These territories were created by the UK in the 1600s, if the people want to remain British they should be allowed to keep their British identities and not be abondoned.
In the first post in this series Brian riches (UK) asks “how many other countries have fourteen overseas territories that remain connected because of the wishes of their peoples?”, and , oddly, includes the British Indian Ocean Territory, aka the Chagos islands, in his list. Perhaps it has slipped his mind that the peoples of the Chagos were unceremoniously exiled from there 40 years ago by the British government, and have since led a scattered and often impoverished existence in Mauritius, Seychelles & UK. Since the excuse for this ‘cleansing’, the US base on Diego Garcia, is a hundred miles from the rest of the islands, surely it is long overdue for the current government, long removed in time and context from the original events, to right this long standing wrong, and allow the Chagossians to return. The Queen’s 60th jubilee year in 2012 would be an ideal time to announce a reversal of this injustice, one that would be welcomed not only by the Chagossians themselves, but also by the numerous Britons who have been embarrassed so long by this cynical, outdated and undemocratic exercise of realpolitik
What’s more, why should we allow the USA to use British territory (Diego Garcia) as an American military base? Rather, shouldn’t the Chagos Islands be reestablished as a homeland for the people who were living there before they were tricked or forced to leave, and for their descendants?
The Americans should not be allowed to continue using this base when the option comes up for the renewal of this arrangement, or, even better, the U.S. base should be closed down straight away. Then arrangements could be set in motion for any Chagossians who wish it to return to Diego Garcia or the other Chagos Islands. Restoring the living conditions on the islands to a state in which the Chagossians can thrive is the responsibility of the UK Government, since it ruined those conditions some 40 odd years ago. However, there have been indications from the European Union that it is willing to help.