Key Takeaways:
- The UK needs to increase its commitment to the defense and security of its Overseas Territories, particularly in the Caribbean.
- The UK government should review its responsibilities to enable the Minister for the Overseas Territories to also represent the UK and the Caribbean.
- The implementation of beneficial ownership registers in the Overseas Territories is a matter of reputation for the UK and the Overseas Territories.
- The UK government should prioritize the development of partnership compacts with individual territories to address specific needs and concerns.
- The UK government should consider launching pilots of partnership compacts in areas with urgent needs, such as the Caicos Islands.
Introduction to the Issue
The United Kingdom’s commitment to the defense and security of its Overseas Territories, particularly in the Caribbean, has been a topic of discussion in recent months. David Rutley, a former Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, expressed his concerns about the current level of commitment from the UK government during a parliamentary hearing in London. Rutley emphasized that while there is a commitment in principle, the UK needs to "step up to the plate" in addressing issues such as illegal migration and gang violence in territories like Turks & Caicos and Anguilla.
The Current State of Defense and Security
Rutley’s comments come two months after David Burt, the Premier of Bermuda, attended the Joint Ministerial Council in London, where he stated that the Overseas Territories are "resolute in the fact that we believe that the UK Government is not doing enough on internal security." The UK government has provided some support, with over $1.7 million poured into Bermuda in the past year to help with policing, defense, and security. However, Rutley believes that more needs to be done to address the specific needs of each territory. The UK’s geopolitical situation and the geostrategic position of its Overseas Territories make it essential to prioritize defense and security.
The Joint Declaration and Partnership Compacts
The joint declaration between the UK and the 14 Overseas Territories, including Bermuda, aims to lead to a framework for moving forward the relationship between the UK and the OTs as a whole. The declaration also intends to develop partnership compacts with individual territories, which will be tailored to their specific needs. Rutley emphasized that these compacts should be "very personal" and "directly relevant" to the needs of each territory. However, progress on the declaration has stalled since the July 2024 General Election and the change of government in the UK. Rutley urged the government to create a framework with added pace and a sense of urgency to address the pressing issues in the Overseas Territories.
The Need for Urgent Action
Rutley suggested that if issues happening in some Overseas Territories were taking place closer to home, such as on the Isle of Wight, they would be "front of mind" for the UK. He emphasized the need for urgent action, particularly in places like the Caicos Islands, where security-related issues need to be addressed. Rutley proposed launching pilots of some of the partnership compacts right away to prove the model and demonstrate the UK’s commitment to the Overseas Territories. The UK government should prioritize the development of these compacts and provide the necessary resources to support their implementation.
The Importance of Representation and Consultation
Rutley also emphasized the importance of representation and consultation in the relationship between the UK and the Overseas Territories. He suggested that the Minister for the Overseas Territories should also represent the UK and the Caribbean, given the shared interests and concerns of the five Overseas Territories in the Caribbean. Rutley encouraged the government to review its responsibilities to enable this representation and to ensure that the Minister attends Caricom meetings on a regular basis. This would facilitate dialogue, understanding, and relationship-building with stakeholders in the region.
The Issue of Beneficial Ownership Registers
The implementation of beneficial ownership registers in the Overseas Territories has been a source of friction between the UK and the territories. Rutley stated that it is a "matter of reputation" for the UK and the Overseas Territories and that it is time to "get on the bus" and agree on timescales and resources. He emphasized the need for clarity and support from the UK government to address this issue. The UK government should work closely with the Overseas Territories to implement beneficial ownership registers and provide the necessary resources to support their implementation.
Conclusion and Next Steps
In conclusion, the UK needs to increase its commitment to the defense and security of its Overseas Territories, particularly in the Caribbean. The development of partnership compacts with individual territories is crucial to addressing specific needs and concerns. The UK government should prioritize the implementation of these compacts and provide the necessary resources to support their implementation. The issue of beneficial ownership registers also needs to be addressed, and the UK government should work closely with the Overseas Territories to implement these registers. The next public hearing of the Constitution Committee of the House of Lords will take place on Wednesday, where Lord McDonald of Salford and Sir Philip Barton will give evidence, providing further insight into the complex issues surrounding the UK’s Overseas Territories.
