MP pushes issue of BOT representation in London

| 25/07/2017 | 49 Comments
Cayman News Service

(L-R) Andrew Rosindell, Anthony Webber MP, and Albert Poggio from Gibraltar at the annual reception of the Friends of the British Overseas Territories in London

(CNS): The Conservative MP for Romford, Andrew Rosindell, has repeated his call for the British Overseas Territories to be represented in the House of Commons. Speaking at the annual reception of the Friends of the British Overseas Territories (FOTBOT) in London last week, he said that devolution to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland made the lack of Westminster representation for the crown dependencies and the territories more unfair and it was time to end the outdated system of treating them like colonies.

A leading supporter of the Britain’s fourteen BOTs he first proposed in 2012 that they should have MPs in the UK parliament, and has since repeatedly raised his proposal. In this most recent call he pointed to the continued devolution of power from London to the home countries (Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) to illustrate the need for all “members of the British family” to be treated equally when it comes to democratic representation.

When CNS reported on Rosindell’s proposal at a fringe meeting at the Conservative Party conference in 2015, local commenters seemed suspicious of the idea, suggesting it was a Trojan horse, and there was little genuine support for such representation.

However, Rosindell stated that having representation in Westminster would not diminish the autonomy of the territories. He believes it is unfair for British citizens in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to have full representation at Westminster while those living in the territories to have absolutely none. Describing it as an outdated type of colonialism, he called on the UK government to address the overdue representation.

It was wrong, he said, for the BOTs and CDs to have no say on crucial matters such as foreign affairs and defence, and indeed to not be able to speak up on their own jurisdictional interests in the national parliament.

According to Anthony Webber, a former member of the Guernsey parliament and a member of the Friends of British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies, who reported on the event, Rosindell said there were many politicians in territories and dependencies of “exceptional calibre, well able to be excellent parliamentarians and a credit to their constituents”, adding that some could even hold ministerial office in a future UK government.

He said MPs from the territories should also be in a position to vote on and influence who would be the prime minister, which was also important because PMs often engage in international negotiations that affect the future of the various individual British jurisdictions.

Having representation in the House of Commons would not affect the autonomy and decision making of the BOTs and CDs but they would get the representational rights they should have had a long time ago, he told the FOTBOT event.

Rosindell called for the process to begin with representation in the House of Lords, and he urged the UK government to press ahead.

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Category: Politics

Comments (49)

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  1. Anonymous says:

    I meant Lord Buckethead. Apologies, my Lord.

  2. Anonymous says:

    What next?!! Captain Buckethead wanting to sit in our Legislature???? If you don’t know who he is…Google the nut.

  3. Anonymous says:

    Andrew Rosindell? Good Essex boy there, born in Romford. Mind you it might do him more good to concentrate on what’s going on his constituency – it’s a tip!

  4. Anonymous says:

    NO THANKS!

  5. Anonymous says:

    No representation without taxation–careful what you wish for.

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  6. Anonymous says:

    Be very very careful on this one. We may get more than we want!

  7. Anonymous says:

    A precursor to the end of the 19 rotten boroughs too? The quality of MLA could only improve.

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  8. Anonymous says:

    Great idea, finally a say in what matters for all BOT’s, 14 MP’s could swing a tight vote in almost any House of Commons and give us disproportionate power…as well as allowing us into mainstream politics and a worldwide stage

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  9. Anonymous says:

    Thanks, but no thanks.

    If anything, we should be focusing on ultimately severing our “dependence” on the UK, albeit merely a technicality in reality, rather than seeking a closer “relationship”.

    History has proven she is a mother that cannot be trusted in the best of times (particularly by the type of people that makeup the Cayman Islands), and unfortunately for her, she is about to enter the worst times she has seen for quite some time.

    Let us not tie a double-knot to that distressed vessel. We’re doing quite fine over here.

    (Enter the retorts of; “You would be nothing without the UK…blah, blah, blah” ….zzzzz!)

    I’ll take my chances on that one.

    Y’all enjoy Trump’s GM crops and chlorine chicken stews tho – ya hear??

    – Who

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    • Get real says:

      Trumps Gm crops …ummmmm you mean Obamas Monsanto approved gm crops? That must be what you mean to say.

      You really just about spewing off your mouth huh?

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      • Anonymous says:

        Obama is gone.

        In fact, I do believe the U.S. Senate is voting to eradicate something as crucial as “Obamacare” as we type – yet somehow you find a way to pin the FUTURE introduction and poisoning of the UK population via American practices on him and not the sitting President Naranja?!

        Interesting.

        – Who

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        • Get real says:

          I did not pin anything on anyone besides remind or inform you that legislation to your point of gm crops were passed by obama .we have all been eating toxic crap food for years because of obama, but only now that trump is presdient you are trying to fool folks into believing america is an entire product of the trump administration. trump has been president for how long? But you believing this is his fault does thread along your ignorance.

          You are so angry you seem to bend sense

          I will remind you again ,obama passed the monsanto act a few years back(early in his presidency) after he said he would not(it too was written behind close doors) Trump has been president for a mere 6-7 months.

          • Anonymous says:

            Again…Obama is gone.

            What happens between the USA and UK will have nothing to do with him.

            Consult your nearest transgender US military personnel (and hopefuls) for confirmation.

            – Who

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            • Get real says:

              So was it obamas fault when he took office and the economy was a mess? I am sure your darling self would argue no. By that same measure we must appreciate how past presidents influence long term. You know-like how legislation under clinton ultimately gave way to mass corruption amd ultimately caused the global crash. …years after.

              Are you able to follow this thought?

              Seems like you need alot of help understanding the point or perhaps you have nothing more to say than some low energy cry for emotional security.

              Omg – cant you stick to one thing. Now you talking about transgenders. My point is and was only that YOU have no clue about the gm crops or legislation/politics it seems.

              Guess it must be hard admitting you are wrong .

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              • Anonymous says:

                5.37, don’t waste your time on Who. He is only understandable if you speak Klingon…all aggression and hatred, no logic.

              • Anonymous says:

                Umm…I am “stick(ing) to one thing”.

                Unfortunately, on this forum, one is forced to deal with rather dim know-it-all’s incapable of connecting clear and blinking dots in one’s commentary.

                I refuse to do it on your behalf.

                You take care now.

                – Who

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                • get real says:

                  You can say I am dim witted all you want buddy but you cant change facts .

                  It is the same reason your arguments include you bouncing away from clear points and certainly never speaking to a rebuttal.

    • Anonymous says:

      Who, when the Brits leave and you are left to the mercy of the drug lords, the cartels and the downright corrupt, who you gonna call? Ghostbusters? Await the US invasion (a la Panama, Grenada etc)? Good luck with that. I do admire your patriotic sentiment, however the fact is that Cayman on its own will be screwed or invaded or both. There are not enough Caymanians to make it a go alone state.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Well, hello there Mr-I’m-Stuck-In-1970 … please do join us – it is 2017 over here.
        Welcome.

        – Who
        (smmfh)

        * Btw, I suggest you and the Brits direct ALL your energies to sorting out that mess of whatever you are calling a country these days.
        Don’t you worry about Cayman – we are fairing much better in every sense of the term at the moment.

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        • Anonymous says:

          You sound like Trump…no sense, no answers

          • Anonymous says:

            And you likely look like a disco-dancing Trump – bell-bottoms, shiny satin shirts, gold chains…the works!

            But that’s alright – you and all your friends just keep on Staying Ali-iiive!

            😀

            – Who

        • Don't look back in anger. says:

          Sadly independence means the loss of the current justice system. Even if you are not at the mercy of 70’s style thugs, or worse the current Mexican style turf wars, justice is only as effective as the Cayman High Court. That probably means the loss of at least 30% of the tax base. Cayman may not fare as well with the lower tax base. The civil service then has to shrink, as well as government services or debt will soar. Unless that is dealt with the country would soon be bankrupt. Good luck with the capital markets. You better believe there would be a downgrade on the debt rating as well as an independant country of 60000 people meaning higher interest rates.

          I don’t see Cayman able to keep its privileged lifestyle as an independant nation. At least that is what history tells us. Oh wait, that’s right “It will be different this time.”

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          • Anonymous says:

            My friend, your warnings to Cayman are eerily similar to those being sent to the UK in the wake of their Brexit vote.
            In fact, some of them are taking place in the mother country at this very moment – can you identify?

            Well, perhaps substitute the criminality with terrorism – not to suggest the UK doesn’t also have a serious crime problem.

            “It will be different” indeed.

            – Who

            😉

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        • Veritas says:

          7.17pm I agree on a per capita basis you are doing far better in gun crime, drugs and bad driving including hit and run fatalities and leaving the scene of the accident, not to mention the antics of your Speaker.

          • Anonymous says:

            Yet you prefer to be here than there.

            You and your friends’ arguments are dead at the door on every occasion.

            You can talk that talk but your life decisions prove your beliefs and preferences.

            Like honestly – all of you really ought to have a seat and stfu.

            – Who

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        • Anonymous says:

          Laughable yup there’s no problems on this floating village of just about everyone from the world.. seek independence then become an extension of Jamaica as before.

    • Anonymous says:

      Yum! MAGA!

    • Hear Hear says:

      Yeah Who??? We should rely on our CI sacred vessels & moral turpitude leaders huh? I’ll stick with big bro when the Falklands hit the fan my friend.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Should we wire yet another KYD $1,000,000.00 to assist Jolly ol’ England with her military efforts this time around?

        It actually warms the cockles of my heart to know my Beloved Cayman Isles is providing foreign aid to our mother country.

        After all, that is what family is all about. Taking care of the weary and delirious older generation and let them live out their last days of glory in blissful oblivion.

        – Who

        😉

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        • Anonymous says:

          Delusional Who, delusional

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        • Anon says:

          You don’t seem to have much support old boy.
          Has it ever occurred to you that you might be wrong?

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          • Anonymous says:

            You must be new here.

            Nothing that speaks to Cayman switching from the status quo is supported on this forum – no mystery why though.

            – Who

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            • Anonymous says:

              None at all, you are one of the very few that want independence…the rest have a brain and can see what will happen. But that will not stop the hatred for the Motherland coming out of your mouth.

              • Anonymous says:

                How do you square what you’ve said with the wisdom, or lack thereof, of the Brexit vote I wonder?

                Btw, please don’t get it twisted. I don’t hate the “motherland” – she is not worthy of that.

                At times like these I simply call her out as the racist bitch she has proven herself to be.

                – Who

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            • Anon says:

              Have you ever considered that the reason for that might be because your views are misguided and wrong?
              It is possible, you know.

              • Anonymous says:

                Well, if so the rest of Cayman can breathe a sigh of relief as this is merely a hypothetical.

                The UK, on the other hand, has made a rash and emotionally-driven (via racism and xenophobia) decision that is already proving to be “misguided and wrong”.

                Good luck with that though.

                – Who

  10. Jah Dread says:

    f that happens, here comes the tax man right behind.

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  11. Jah Dread says:

    All good and well but what is the quid pro qui , do we get funding, pensions and assistance with roads, infrastructure hospitals, education etc. Or will it be just token representation hich will allow us to be swamped by hordes of Briritishers who will then have the right to come in and work freely. Hmmm

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    • Anonymous says:

      You can have all the funding you want if you introduce the taxes to pay for them that the British pay to get the same benefits in the UK.

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    • Anonymous says:

      So lets get this right Jah Dread, you want representation and then some more? Wow, no wonder this place is screwed…

    • Veritas says:

      You will get all that if, like a large number of your fellow citizens you take your British passport and move to Britain.

  12. Anonymous says:

    This is an excellent idea. And in common with the regional assemblies in the UK (Scottish, Welsh, Northern Irish), the vote should be extended to British, Commonwealth and EU (pending Brexit) citizens, both for elections to the UK Parliament and to the Legislative Assembly.

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  13. Anonymous says:

    I predict Lord McKeeva of West Bay. Imagine him in his full regalia – oh such pomp!

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