Hashtag: #BritishOverseasTerritories
Audio: Premier On UK, Assent, Cannabis Bill
“If Her Majesty’s representative in Bermuda does not give assent to something that has been passed lawfully and legally under this local government, this will destroy the relationship that we had with the United Kingdom,” Premier David Burt said, adding that he expects “the UK government will listen to the democratic voice of... Read more of this article
‘Actions Signal Renewed Push For Colonialism’
[Updated] “I welcome deeper engagement with the UN as Bermuda works with other non-sovereign territories to protect against recent actions that signal a renewed push for colonialism by administering powers, ” Premier David Burt tweeted. The Premier tweeted the photo below, saying: “Recently met the new United Nations Resident Coordinator,... Read more of this article
UK Parliament: Self-Determination Of States
“Where independence is an option for an Overseas Territory and it is the clear and constitutionally expressed wish of the people to pursue independence the UK Government will meet its obligations to help the Territory to achieve it,” Minister of State Nigel Adams said. His reply came during a recent session in British Parliament after... Read more of this article
Vaccines Sent To Nine Overseas Territories
The UK has sent Covid-19 vaccines to nine British Overseas Territories so far; Anguilla, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat, St Helena and the Turks & Caicos. Bermuda Received Two Shipments Last Month Bermuda’s first batch of 9,750 doses arrived on January 8th, and the second allotment... Read more of this article
Durrant Elected UK OT Association Chairperson
The UK Overseas Territories Association elected Kimberley Durrant, from the Government of Bermuda’s London Office, as their new Chairperson. A Government spokesperson said, “The United Kingdom Overseas Territories Association held its Annual General Meeting on 14th January 2021. At the meeting, UK Representatives of the British Overseas... Read more of this article
John Rankin To Be Sworn In As BVI Governor
John Rankin — who previously served as Bermuda’s Governor — has arrived in the British Virgin Islands, and will be sworn in as their Governor. A statement from the Government of the Virgin Islands said, “Governor Designate Mr. John Rankin, CMG arrived in the Territory pn January 14. Mr. Rankin will be sworn in as the 15th Governor... Read more of this article
UK Prepares Draft Order In Council For OTs
The UK has prepared a draft Order to compel the British Overseas Territories to introduce publicly accessible registers, but said that “in the light of the firm commitments” from the Territories to adopt them, the “UK Government have decided that it is now not necessary to make the Order under Section 51, but will keep this under review.” Parliamentary... Read more of this article
Cayman Jails Two People For Covid-19 Breach
An American college student and her boyfriend have been jailed for four months in the Cayman Islands after breaking their Covid-19 rules, with the news apparently causing quite some interest in the USA, with ‘Cayman Islands’ trending as high as fourth in the U.S. rankings on Twitter this morning as people discussed the matter. Cayman —... Read more of this article
‘Proportionate Share Of Vaccines UK Procures’
“The UK Government will supply the Territories with a proportionate share of the vaccines that the UK procures,” British Parliamentary Under-Secretary for the Foreign Office Wendy Morton said. Local officials have already confirmed that “Bermuda will be supplied with 9,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine and they will arrive on our shores... Read more of this article
Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Council Held
The Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Council was held virtually November, and included “wide ranging discussions on a number of topics, including economic issues, Covid-19 response and recovery, protecting vulnerable groups and protecting the environment” and more. A Government spokesperson said, “The Joint Ministerial Council,... Read more of this article
‘Unwavering Commitment To Supporting OTs’
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson addressed leaders of the Overseas Territories as part of the JMC meeting, where he “set out the UK’s unwavering commitment to supporting the Overseas Territories as they deal with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.” This is according to a statement on the UK Government’s website, which said,... Read more of this article
Prime Minister: Ordered Enough For UK & OTs
[Updated with video] “We do not yet know when any will be ready and licensed, but we have ordered 100 million doses of the Oxford vaccine and over 350 million in total, more than enough for everyone in the UK, the Crown dependencies and the overseas territories,” British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said. Speaking in British Parliament yesterday... Read more of this article
