Who holds the FCDO to account when it comes to the British Overseas Territories? This was a theme of the Foreign Affairs Committee inquiry five years ago, but it never really came to anything. The FCDO announced that it would look at coordinating things better and subsequently announced that the Territories would be allowed to… Continue reading The UK is Changing the way it relates to its Overseas Territories (slightly).
Category: british politics
New Parliamentary Inquiry into the UK/OT Relationship
Five years after the UK Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee looked at the UK’s relationship with its Overseas Territories, its Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee has decided to have a go. Last week it launched an inquiry into “The Status of the UK’s Overseas Territories in the 21 Century”. The aim of this is to… Continue reading New Parliamentary Inquiry into the UK/OT Relationship
The Chagos Precedent: “But What if we want to Depopulate Somewhere else?” says the UK.
USS Florida at Diego Garcia: British Indian Ocean Territory Campaigners for British citizenship for the descendants of Chagossians forcibly removed from their islands to make way for the US airbase on Diego Garcia, achieved a minor victory this week when the House of Lords supported their cause. An amendment to the British Nationality and Borders… Continue reading The Chagos Precedent: “But What if we want to Depopulate Somewhere else?” says the UK.
Why has FCDO Stopped Answering my Freedom of Information Requests?
I’m having a few problems with my Freedom of Information Requests. I don’t do many, and the UK Government usually responds reasonably quickly. But they have got very prickly. I have two outstanding which are way past the deadline for responding. These are: 1) Can you send me a copy of the 2011 Montserrat access… Continue reading Why has FCDO Stopped Answering my Freedom of Information Requests?
The JMC Outcome: The Thorny Issue of NHS Quotas.
I've read the communique issued at the end of this year's JMC, and a couple of things stand out. One of these is the reference to NHS quotas, and the other is the lack of any reference to disability. I won't go over the disability issue again. The British OTs are the only territories not… Continue reading The JMC Outcome: The Thorny Issue of NHS Quotas.
Joseph Farrell Goes to London: All the Pictures
The Overseas Territories have been to the UK for various high profile, and not so high profile events. The Montserrat delegation wasn't there for the full trip. It wasn't represented at COP26, and wasn't at the inauguration of the Garden of Remembrance (Janice Panton of the London Office did that one). But the Premier did… Continue reading Joseph Farrell Goes to London: All the Pictures
The FCO/DFID Merger: A Problem or an Opportunity for Montserrat?
The merger of the FCO and DFID looks like it could cause some difficulties for Montserrat, and possibly for that other aid dependent Overseas Territory, St Helena. A huge amount of power is going to be vested in the Governor’s Office which will now be part of both the donor organization for most of… Continue reading The FCO/DFID Merger: A Problem or an Opportunity for Montserrat?
“Definitely Maybe” say the Air Accident Investigators
Well, that was a dramatic read. However, I’m not sure that the recommendations are entirely reassuring. There are a few things I would have liked to have seen included, but the investigators’ report on last year’s “accident” (as they call it) is very interesting, although with a few holes. One thing I’d like to know,… Continue reading “Definitely Maybe” say the Air Accident Investigators
The BBC’s Overseas Territories Cenotaph Gaffe
The 100th remembrance day ceremony was special for the Overseas Territories as they were finally, after a long campaign, allowed to place a wreath at the Cenotaph to commemorate their war dead. Since 2008 a wreath has been laid by the Foreign Secretary on their behalf, but after continuous lobbying, the OT's, all of them, have… Continue reading The BBC’s Overseas Territories Cenotaph Gaffe
Budget Delays and the Age of Consent
This Article first appeared in the Alliougana Express 7 May 2019 When it became clear that the Government’s annual budget wouldn’t be agreed until May this year, the Premier set about explaining the causes and the risks. It’s still not entirely clear what all the problems were, but one surprising reason was a dispute between… Continue reading Budget Delays and the Age of Consent
The Idi Amin Solution to Brexit
Being back in the UK for a few weeks I can get a real sense of how crazy the country has gone over Brexit. Before the vote more centrist Tories were accusing the hardliners of wanting the UK to be like Singapore, but with the opinion polls now showing the majority of Conservative Party members… Continue reading The Idi Amin Solution to Brexit
Interview with Author Lorraine O’Garro
On November 30, 2018, I had the esteemed pleasure of interviewing Lorraine O’Garro via Skype from London, England. She is the children’s author of, The Alphabet with Bella and Numbers with Bella book series. The main character Bella Sweeney is a beautifully illustrated preschooler. Bella shares her heritage with her creator Ms. O’Garro. Both live in London, England and have parents from Guyana in South America and Montserrat in the Caribbean. Both the books feature elements of Ms. O’Garro’s heritage.
In the audio interview Lorraine O’Garro shares how a lack of representation of black characters in children’s books, and a desire to see more characters that looked like her, inspired Ms. O’Garro to write her first book. This interview captures the necessity for increasing diversity in children’s literature. In the interview Lorraine shares her experiences and tips for upcoming authors. The story of how Lorraine became an indie author is…
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Are the British being cynical in their approach to Human Rights in the Overseas Territories?
Why has the British Government rolled out human rights legislation to the overseas territories in such a piecemeal way? Why does it prioritise some human rights ahead of others? Why does it not intervene when there are clear human rights abuses in its own territories? What is going on? We can get a useful insight… Continue reading Are the British being cynical in their approach to Human Rights in the Overseas Territories?
Craig Brewin’s Blog 