Britain was right to block Bermuda from legalising cannabis, the House of Commons heard – but the island should have had a voice in negotiating an international treaty that led to the impasse.

A debate last week on the status of the UK’s Overseas Territories focused on the “special historical, cultural, and social bonds” between the territories and the UK – and the British Government’s responsibility to “consider the unique circumstances of each Territory when formulating policies which affect them”.

The debate came one year after Rena Lalgie, the Governor, reserved assent on legislation permitting a regulated cannabis industry for the island after Bermuda’s approved the Cannabis Licensing Act in March 2022.

Ms Lalgie said last September she had been “instructed” by the UK’s foreign secretary to refuse royal assent, citing Britain’s obligations regarding the drug under international law.

David Burt, the Premier, warned in February 2021 that such a move threatened to “destroy” relations between Bermuda and Britain.

The House of Commons debate on Thursday coincided with the Joint Ministerial Council – the annual forum in Britain for the Overseas Territories, and the top highest political forum between the UK Government and governments of the Overseas Territories.

Twitter

Alicia Kearns, chairwoman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, opened the discussion on Parliament’s commitment to the interests of OTs and their citizens.

“The British global family is diverse and requires policy that recognises this diversity,” Ms Kearns said. “That is what we will debate today.”

Lloyd Russell-Moyle, a Labour MP, said: “It seems wrong to me, in this modern world, that when we are negotiating international treaties there is no representation for the OTs.

“Britain intervened on Bermuda to stop its laws on the declassification of cannabis. I think it was right for it to do that.

“It was wrong for Britain to intervene on the basis of international treaties on which Bermuda had had no say in this place. I hope that we can resolve that issue as well.”

Legalising cannabis ran afoul of the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs and the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances.

Independent MP Margaret Ferrier also singled out Bermuda, noting the 1995 referendum in which Bermudians turned down independence.

“Polling earlier this year showed that 80 per cent of residents continue to oppose independence,” Ms Ferrier said.

“I am sure I am not alone in recognising that we should not take the allegiance of this, the oldest British overseas territory, lightly.

“In fact, we should continue to support and uplift that beautiful island nation. For example, Bermuda’s economy continues to enjoy growth in the international business sector, with that industry providing 4,642 jobs in 2022.

“As one of Bermuda’s key trading partners, it is imperative that we play our part in supporting the nation as it takes steps to further strengthen its position as a hotspot for international business.”

Stephen Doughty, the Shadow Minister of Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, cited Bermuda’s struggle to amend its problems with passport codes that hampered the processing of travel documents.

Ms Lalgie announced last month that the code discrepancy would be amended from 2024.

The topic was also discussed by the Premier – along with the thorny issue of cannabis reform – when he met this month with Lord Goldsmith, the Minister for the Overseas Territories.

Mr Doughty told the House: “Perplexingly, a British overseas territories citizen is not eligible to use the passport e-gates at UK airports, despite having biometric passports, often produced in the same way as ours.

“However, people from the European economic area can use those gates. That seems an absurd situation.”