UK should 'welcome' any OT wishing full integration- UK MP
According to Lloyd C. Russell-Moyle, a British Labour and Co-operative Party politician who was elected as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Brighton Kemptown, it has been a “priority” of the Governments of Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands to be removed from the United Nations list of Non-Self Governing Territories.
Speaking in the House of Commons, during the debate titled Future of Overseas Territories on May 11, 2023, Mr Russell-Moyle was at the time making the point that there are four ways of being removed from the UN’s list of Non-Self Governing Territories and being normalised in international relations.
UK had blocked Malta’s request for integration
This he listed as gaining sovereignty (independence), becoming a free association, integration or a “Bespoke option”, which he said would require a vote in the UN.
Regarding OTs wishing to be fully integrated into Britain, Mr Russell-Moyle reminded it was a model Malta had requested in the past, but it was blocked by the UK parliament.
“And I do believe that option now must be clearly stated, that it is always an option for any territory if they wish. I think it was wrong that we did that in the past and I do would love to hear the Minister say if the territory wanted integration ie, to be able to send them to this place…they will be welcome to do so. We must make that clear, Mr Russell-Moyle stated.
The Bespoke Option!
The MP was; however, suggesting that the UK must come up with a “clever way” for British Overseas Territories to be taken off the UN list of Non-Self Governing Territories without losing status as a British Overseas Territory.
“And why of course that is important for them is because it then gives them access to certain things at the United Nation and allows them to stand proud on the international stage.
“But that also requires Britain to be clear that these territories are self-governing and they decide their future, and I was very pleased with,” Mr Russell-Moyle stated.
He said the “bespoke option” would be a problem to attain; however, since the Committee at the UN is made up of China, Cuba, Iran, Russia, Syria, and Venezuela.
“Whilst the first three [options] are yes or no questions, the fourth option requires a vote in that Committee, and it is clear under no chance, there is no hope in this world, that they are ever going to vote for a bespoke option of a British Overseas Territory, so we must find a clever solution…” Mr Russell-Moyle stated.
UN & Decolonisation
According to General Assembly resolution 1541 (XV) of 1960 entitled "Principles which should guide Members in determining whether or not an obligation exists to transmit the information called for under Article 73 e of the Charter", a Non-Self-Governing Territory can be said to have reached a full measure of self-government by:
• Emergence as a sovereign independent State;
• Free association with an independent State;
• Integration with an independent State.
In addition, by the "Declaration on Principles of International law concerning Friendly Relations and Cooperation among States in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations", as approved by the General Assembly by its resolution 2625 (XXV) of 1970, the General Assembly solemnly proclaimed the principles of international law concerning friendly relations and cooperation among States, including the principle of "equal rights and self-determination of peoples". In that principle, it is stated that the "establishment of a sovereign and independent State, the free association or integration with an independent State or the emergence into any other political status freely determined by a people constitute modes of implementing the right of self-determination by that people".
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62 Responses to “UK should 'welcome' any OT wishing full integration- UK MP”
"A British Member of Parliament (MP) has said the United Kingdom (UK) should make it clear that any of its Overseas Territories (OTs) are welcome to exercise the option of integration into the United Kingdom (UK)."
We reject that offer and ask that you go back to the Parliament and issue a second option to read on our behalf stating:
After being requested by the people of the Caribbean OTs, A British Member of Parliament (MP) has said the United Kingdom (UK) should make it clear that any of its Overseas Territories (OTs), especially those in the Caribbean, are welcome to exercise the option of full independence from the United Kingdom (UK) by 2025.
We will now take the second option. Thank you.
Moreover, exploitive and expropriated goals achieved, resources depleted and Empire fading, colonies were cut loose quickly but poor, undeveloped, ie, infrastructure, health, education, economy, social services, etc. They are still struggling from the adverse legacies of colonialism. They need reparative justice. It is important to note that none of the colonies in the vast empire was integrated into UK as the French did with Martinique and Guadeloupe. The UK was tasked by the UN as the ‘Administrative Power’ for VI and other OTs with the responsibility for guiding and supporting them towards a full measure of self-governing/self-determination. Self-determination includes independence, free association, integration, etc. The UK had/,has the option of offering integration to its OTs which it often and conveniently label as part of the UK family. The UK is not inclined though to offer integration to OTs. Malta it seems tried but was shunted adide. The UK though may be comfortable offering integration to the Falkland Islands and Gibraltar more so than VI and Anguilla. Why?
And stop the crap about reparations. Damn non-productive, non-skilled, lazy people looking for free money and handouts, wanting people who had nothing to do with your supposed, imaginary, ill-treatment to pay them. What are you going to pay the Crown for rescuing you bloaks. The BVI will be nothing without the UK ‘s adult guidance. Get some damn respect for us Bloak.
The statement also was that any OT wishing to integrate should be welcomed. How does this lead to a series of tirades about colonialism and slavery? If you don’t “wish” this statement invalidates itself.
Please untwist your panties and carry on.
Probably better to integrate with our brothers and sisters in the USVI. As part of the USVI territory we would still have some level of local governance and culture left.
USVI though it may want to merge with the BVI cannot make that decision on its own. The US government (Congress) will have to get involved and so too will the UK. Free association is a self-determination option; however, both locales will need to have the independent authority to make it happen. Are we sure that the USVI wants to merge with the BVI? What will be benefits, if any, for both locales? Is this merger preference just an emotional response to the current situation?
That would mean Brits could freely move to OTS without immigration control. Example USVI / PR and the French countries.
Moreover, the Jewish example/strategy given above is a worthwhile strategy and is worthy of emulating and to benchmark.,To recap, the Jewish lesson states that it is better to circle the wagon to protect the group’s interest in lieu of dividing and scattering themselves into larger populations, weakening the group, and making it more vulnerable. For the BVI, this a lesson that it should peruse and ponder as it considers its self-determination option(s) and pursuit.
[Let’s lead like eagles, not careen off the cliff like buffaloes]