Hard to keep up! Premier bemoans constant change of UK OT Ministers

Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley

Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has expressed frustration at the constant changing of United Kingdom (UK) Overseas Territories (OTs) ministers.

David Rutley is the UK’s latest Parliamentary Undersecretary of State and Premier Wheatley complained that the constant changes in that office slow down the process of negotiations with the UK and make it seem like he is starting from scratch with each new minister.

“We have a new Overseas Territory Minister. This is part of the challenge we’ve been having. It almost seems like sometimes you have to start completely over,” Premier Wheatley said recently. “We now have Minister Rutley. Before that, we had Lord Goldsmith, before that, we had, I’m forgetting the other two but you know, we had a series at them. It’s hard to keep up with them.”

Premier Wheatley said he believed that, as Overseas Territories, there has been a concerted effort to remain consistent in what the group is looking for.

Premier Wheatley further commented that the instability in the UK government has had an impact and has added to the frustration felt by the OTs.

“I would say despite that flux, despite that inconsistency and instability, we’ve been able to be consistent in pushing forward and the Joint Ministerial Council focused on a declaration and this particular declaration I think would be important in holding the UK accountable,” Dr Wheatley said.

He suggested the UK will likely be held to a different standard of relationship with the OTs, regardless of which minister serves in the capacity.

Premier Wheatley said former OTs Minister Lord Goldsmith urged UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak last year to appoint an OT lead in each department and he noted that OTs are now seeing the fruit of that labour.

“We’re having more engagement with not just the FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office) but from all the different departments,” Dr Wheatley added.

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