Britain adopts a new approach to Bermuda

Andrew Rosindell concluded independence was not a prospect after meeting Government figures and Premier Paula Cox. He discussed Britain’s relationship with the island on a three-day “goodwill visit” this week.

Mr. Rosindell said there has been a “total change in attitiude to Overseas Territories” since his coalition government succeeded Labour.

The territories are “places we cherish and value,” he said, and are “no longer remnants of a colonial past we don’t want to bother with”.

He also expressed his wish that Bermuda “would never want to become a republic”.

Mr. Rosindell is chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Overseas Territories (BOTs).

“The days of British Overseas Territories becoming independent seem to be finished. The people I’ve been talking to, including the leading party [Government] think it’s unlikely Bermuda will have independence in the near future,” Mr. Rosindell said.

Bermudians however, had the right to self-determination.

“I can understand some people wanting independence, but that’s a matter for the people — to make that decision,” he said. “But I would certainly hope that Bermuda would never want to become a republic.”

Mr. Rosindell, the Conservative MP for Romford, Essex, also serves on the Foreign Affairs Select Committee.

He said he wanted “to get an update on how things are in Bermuda” but he had no official agenda.

“I will relay back to the Minister [of Overseas Territories, Henry Bellingham], but there’s no report going back by me,” he said.

Mr. Rosindell also appeared to be acting as an ambassador for the U.K.’s new coalition government.

He told the Bermuda Sun the U.K. wanted to shake off the shackles of British colonialism.

Value and loyalty

“There has been a total change in attitude towards Overseas Territories,” he said. “After the [general] election last year the new Minister for Overseas Territories Henry Bellingham and Foreign Secretary William Hague have made it clear that Overseas Territories are places we cherish and value. We want to treat them in a way they deserve. They have shown great value and loyalty over many years. The idea they should be treated in a colonial way is outdated.”

But he said each jurisdiction was responsible for the way in which it was treated.

“Each one has to find its own place in its relationship with the UK and way of governing, living up to certain standards set by Her Majesty the Queen’s government, because we’ve seen in the Turks and Caicos Islands how one territory can go badly wrong.

“We want all Overseas Territories to be self-governing. We don’t want interference from London. We want them to be successful and to prosper by their own efforts.

“But they have to be responsible. There are one or two that perhaps have been irresponsible and we finish up with the liability.

“£120 million is having to be sent to the Turks and Caicos Islands at this moment from the British Exchequer. We don’t want to see that from our territories.”

In contrast to TCI, Mr. Rosindell spoke highly of Bermuda as a ‘model’ Overseas Territory, saying it “doesn’t rely on handouts”.

“Bermuda has been able to finance its own efforts. That is very much in line with what we want Overseas Territories to do,” he said.

“Bermuda is our oldest territory, of over 400 years. It’s important that the people know that Britain does value our relationship with them. They are no longer remnants of a colonial past that we don’t want to bother with. That may have been the attitude of the previous Labour government but that is no longer the case.

“We need to move our relationship into a more modern context, a non-colonial relationship where they are equal partners within the British family. A relationship where Britain encourages them to be self-sufficient and self-governing. That is what we want for all our Overseas Territories.

“Some will argue Bermuda has already achieved that, and I would also say it has. It has a proud record as a British Overseas Territory.”