Are British actions accelerating self-determination thinking in the Overseas Territories?

A little over a week ago Britain and its Overseas Territories held their annual Joint Ministerial Council in London. The two day event on December 2 and 3 brought together British ministers with the elected leaders of all of Britain’s overseas territories.

In recent years the nature of such meetings has changed, so that today the exchanges equate to a relationship between equals, but reflecting interdependence within advanced constitutions that provide for uniquely local forms of self-government. The group, which is disparate in size, development levels, and location, includes the five Caribbean Overseas Territories: Anguilla, The British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Montserrat and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The seven page communiqué issued at the end of this year’s Council contained much that is unremarkable, covering issues of common interest. However, parts of the text reflect continuing and significant divisions with the