BVI calls on UK parliament to support modern partnership with OTs

UK parliament is being encouraged to support the renewal of a modern partnership between Britain and Overseas Territories (OTs) such as the BVI.

Special Envoy to the British Virgin Islands, Benito Wheatley, encouraged that partnership during a recent meeting at the House of Commons with Chairman of the Overseas Territories All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG), Andrew Rosindell, MP.

Wheatley said in the meeting, that the BVI is pleased with the UK government’s decision not to force the BVI and other OTs to abolish Belongership status, among other things.

He said: “We welcome the UK government’s position stated by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in its response to the FAC report, that Orders in Council should not be used by the UK Parliament to force the Overseas Territories to adopt the proposals of the committee or to impose UK decisions on the Territories in areas of governance constitutionally devolved to them without their consent.”

“It is now time for the UK Parliament to support a renewal of the modern partnership between the UK and Overseas Territories based on the principle of self-governance and we hope there will be no further parliamentary moves to undermine the UK Government position that rejects the use of Orders in Council against the Territories.”

Wheatley also commended MP Rosindell for what was described as his long-standing commitment to the Overseas Territories and for respecting their constitutions.

“Andrew Rosindell, MP, has been a staunch supporter of a modern partnership between the United Kingdom and Overseas Territories and I thank him for his steadfast leadership as the Chair of the Overseas Territories APPG in sensitising the UK Parliament to the importance of upholding the principle of self-governance for the people of the Overseas Territories and respecting their constitutional arrangements and rights,” he said.