Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (UK) Sir Keir R. Starmer has said his government is committed to resetting its relationship with the UK’s Overseas Territories. Photo: Government of the United Kingdom

Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley participated in the Joint Ministerial Council meeting in England from November 18 to 22, 2024. Photo: Office of the Premier

Prime Minister Starmer was speaking during the UK-Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Council (JMC) meeting on November 21, 2024. Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) participated in the JMC meeting this week from November 18 to 22, 2024.

Not a remote relationship- PM Starmer

The UK Prime Minister said, as this is a new government, he wanted to make it clear and without doubt that “we want to reset the government’s relationship with our Overseas Territories and that’s part of a bigger piece of work that we’re doing resetting on the international stage -being clear about the role of the UK in an ever more volatile world - but that does include the reset with you”.

To the leaders of the overseas territories who were present, including the Virgin Islands’ Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable  Wheatley, PM Starmer said the relationship is not a “remote” one.

“You know who we are and how to get hold of us and how to have a discussion on any issues that are of importance to you,” he added.

Promise to be a government of service as part of reset- PM Starmer

Prime Minister Starmer continued that the day following the UK election, he said the new government would try to be a government of service.

“That is a defining feature of this government, it drives everything that we do, and it will drive the reset in our relationship with you as well. So that sense of real service and personal connection.”

The reset also includes an ironclad commitment to democratic autonomy and the overseas territories’ right to self-determination, the UK Prime Minister stated.

“It’s working in partnership on the issues that matter to us all. Partnership is an important word - with a commitment to the principle of “nothing about you without you.” So there’s a partnership there, we work together, and that is the basis that is important. And it means listening to your concerns. I’m a great believer in the power of face-to-face contact and listening to what people have to say,” he added.