Premier gives update on UK Overseas Territories meeting
All British Government departments have been assigned a minister with responsibility for the relationship with the Overseas Territories, the Premier told MPs last week.
David Burt gave the House of Assembly an update on the meeting of the Joint Ministerial Council, the highest political forum between the British Government and governments of the Overseas Territories.
He said that the new British Government — formed after the Labour Party won a landslide victory in this year’s General Election — had set out five principles in relation to the Overseas Territories:
• Devolution and democratic autonomy — establishing clear consistency on constitutional principles of partnership and engagement
• Listening — firmly believe in the principle of “nothing about you without you”
• Partnership built on mutual respect and inclusion involving all government departments, not just the Foreign Office
• Rights come with responsibilities — shared values of the British family include a robust commitment to democracy, the rule of law and liberty, and the protection of human rights
• Advancement of good governance — ensuring proper democratic accountability and regulation
In the House on Friday, Mr Burt said he had held a meeting with the Minister for Overseas Territories, Stephen Doughty, and “expressed the need for Bermuda to seek clarity on a range of matters”.
They included the review process for constitutional reform, which is unique to each territory; support from the British Government on Bermuda’s implementation of the global minimum tax; and addressing violence.
The Premier said: “I found the minister to be committed to the principles set out and this has persisted since his time in Opposition.
“Further, it is worthwhile noting that under minister Doughty’s leadership all UK government departments have been assigned a minister with responsibility for the relationship with the Overseas Territories and meet regularly to address issues important to the OTs.”
Mr Burt also held a meeting with the Economic Secretary to the Treasury and City Minister, Tulip Siddiq.
He said: “Given international business’s importance to the Bermuda economy, it was important to share Bermuda’s progress on the implementation of corporate income tax.
“City minister Siddiq welcomed Bermuda’s next phase of our tax regime and was fully aware of the importance of Bermuda’s insurance industry to the UK economy.”
The Premier was joined by Jason Hayward, the Minister of Economy and Labour, for an economic diversification session, co-chaired by Douglas Alexander, Britain’s Minister of State at the Department for Business and Trade.
Mr Burt said it was agreed that the British Government would continue to work with Bermuda in exploring territorial extensions under British free trade agreements, investment summits with participation from Overseas Territories and trade missions to the OTs.
While in the UK, the Premier also met Lord Hanson of Flint, the Minister of State at the Home Office.
Mr Burt said focus was placed on areas where the Government needed “a more defined approach as to the UK’s obligations regarding internal security”.
He added: “As such, we agreed for the Home Office to define and articulate its offer regarding continued guidance and support on tackling cybercrime for all territories.
“This includes a commitment to continue to work with all territories to improve incident management and response.”
• To view the Premier’s full statement and the UK and Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Council communiqué, see Related Media
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