BOT-UK Brexit talks thin on substance
(L-R) Incoming Governor to the Cayman Islands Anwar Choudhury, Lord Ahmad, Premier Alden McLaughlin and Minister Robin Walker at Lancaster House in London
(CNS): Following a second day of talks in London between an array of British government officials and the leaders of the British Overseas Territories, almost no detail about what is being discussed has been revealed. In a release from his office, Cayman Islands Premier Alden McLaughlin said he had been pleased to see “so many senior UK officials, including three ministers, attend the discussion”, which he said was an indication that the UK is taking the BOT talks seriously.
While officials were said to have taken time to respond to questions and provide assurance to BOT leaders that their interests would be represented during Brexit discussions, there was no indication of what that really means. Officials said that the “discussions were cordial” but the substance of the discussions has not been revealed.
Given that no one in the UK appears to have much of an idea at this point what Brexit will look like for Britain itself, it is going to be difficult to alleviate the concerns of the BOTs, which includes access to EU markets for agriculture and fishery products, development funding, the free movement of BOT citizens and the financial services sector.
In a release from new UK’s new government Department for Exiting the European Union, known as the Brexit Office, officials said the BOT leaders were updated on the EU negotiations and action taken since the inaugural Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Council on European Negotiations in February.
Brexit Minister Robin Walker said, “Negotiations to leave the European Union are now underway, and we are working hard to deliver a deal that works for everyone, including our friends in the overseas territories. We have engaged extensively with the overseas territories already and will continue to make sure their interests are taken into account as the UK leaves the EU.”
Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, who has responsibility for the BOTs, said, “The overseas territories are integral to what defines Britain on the global stage and to our influence across the world. I look forward to continuing engagement with the territories on the key challenges they face as a result of Brexit and to work collaboratively on the great opportunities that lie ahead.”
Category: Politics
Switch “UK” with “Cayman” in the post copied below and you’ll find the same argument many native Caymanians, myself included, are forwarding.
“The Cold Hard Truth says:
14/07/2017 at 8:30 pm
A country’s success is not based solely on its economic performance . It is the balance of social, economic and political drivers that make a country successful.
The open door policy will boost economical growth in the short term. It will however put a strain on infrastructures and create social issues in the long term. The UK thankfully recognised these long term problems ahead of the EU which has blindly cited its economic growth as a success factor of remaining in the block. The politicians quote economic success whilst their local communities are faced with escalating crime and growing racial tensions..
Eventually the citizens of the EU will realise they have been blindsided by their politicians . Unfortunately by the time this has happened, they will have suffered the impact of their uncontrolled immigration policies.”
The immigrant (aka “expatriate”) and PR members of the Cayman community must eventually come to reality.
You can’t oppose a concept in your home country yet vehemently defend the very same concept in another’s country simply because you stand to gain therefrom.
Swallow your pride, set aside foolish ego, acknowledge your position in modern Cayman and act / live / integrate / post accordingly.
Is it too much to ask of you what your country demands of others?
– Whodatis
First, you cannot say that every Brit supports Brexit – the referendum wasn’t exactly a landslide. There is a word for ascribing the actions and views of some to an entire group. Second, seem to recall no shortage of posts from you lambasting Brexiters fro being bigoted and xenophobic. Yet now you are say the same arguments are being made by many native Caymanians, yourself included. As you say, but hypocritical to oppose a concept in your home country yet vehemently support it in another.
The misuse of the word “economical” shows how little Who knows about economics. There were no infrastructure strains caused by immigration – immigrants were net contributor to the economy. The “social issues” were simply xenophobia and racism from mediocre bigots who inanely demanded assimilation, a ghastly concept at the best of times.
Unfortunately for you and your argument – that wasn’t Whodatis’ word.
I’m actually embarrassed for you so I’ll end my reply here.
– Whodatis
their was many European economic immigrants that built north America and made it the powerhouse it is today , why cant African migrants have the same ? maybe because they are BLACK ?
A good point made even better when supplemented by the fact no group did and sacrificed more to build North America than Blacks.
– Who
Re: “Of course Britain has many problems dealing with Brexit (which I actually voted against), but they are not faced with being swamped with millions of African economic refugees, like the E.U. is currently, as a direct result of their open door and open border policies.”
@ Veritas,
Further to your observations, Cayman HAS BEEN swamped with British and European economic migrants. To a far greater rate than those countries would ever allow, and with a significantly greater negative impact on the local population which is now being fully realised.
Any suggestions or good advice for us?
– Who
P.S. I trust you are not, nor planning to become, an economic migrant to the Cayman Islands?
Otherwise, how ya’ square dem circles I wonder?
really
Of course Britain has many problems dealing with Brexit (which I actually voted against), but they are not faced with being swamped with millions of African economic refugees, like the E.U. is currently, as a direct result of their open door and open border policies.
Every EU economy outperformed the UK in terms of growth in Q1 2017. First to last in three quarters. I believe the tinfoil hat brigade call it the “Brexit Dividend”.
A country’s success is not based solely on its economic performance . It is the balance of social, economic and political drivers that make a country successful.
The open door policy will boost economical growth in the short term. It will however put a strain on infrastructures and create social issues in the long term. The UK thankfully recognised these long term problems ahead of the EU which has blindly cited its economic growth as a success factor of remaining in the block. The politicians quote economic success whilst their local communities are faced with escalating crime and growing racial tensions..
Eventually the citizens of the EU will realise they have been blindsided by their politicians . Unfortunately by the time this has happened, they will have suffered the impact of their uncontrolled immigration policies.
Alden is in London to listen and take instructions from FCO not negotiate anything in favor of Cayman. That is the role of a puppet politician
That’s right. There is always a bigger fish.
The UK government should consult the people who got them in this fine mess.
They would be the overabundance of xenophobes and racists in their population – well, save for the Remainers aka “Remoaners”.
Which, by the way, also happen to; be the regions of least English ancestry, boast the lowest rates of unemployment, be less likely living off government handouts, represent the most productive cogs of the UK economy.
Go figure eh?
It is not hard to see what is at play with the whole Brexit thing – in fact it is VERY simple and hardly surprising.
However, that won’t stop the clowns here on CNS attempting to complicate the situation in their asinine attempts to save face.
It is what it is though.
– Who
*Alden, as you’re across the Atlantic – try na go check Merkel and see if she na wan’ adopt us nah? In the meantime we’ll file the affidavit requesting “ward of EU state status”.
😀
Brexit was caused by angry poorly educated English provincials being steered like sheep by far right propaganda and fake news. And some Welsh, but they are just English surrender-monkeys.
Troll.
Hardly, it looks like a fairly accurate assessment of the research into voting patterns.
None of what you say is true. It’s also clear you don’t know any Germans.
Not true.
I know Marcel, Toby, Matthias, Sarah, Charlotte, Paul, Selina, another Toby, Carola … should I go on?
😉
What was the name of the English girl who broke your heart Who ?
Can’t say I’ve dipped my toe in those waters my friend.
– Who
More Daddy issues really.
I love how you try coming over as a bastion of national pride and then end your , as always , ill conceived diatribe with an Americanism . Followed by an emoji . like an hormonal 15 year old schoolgirl .
MAGA!
Hi stalker.
At least you’re paying close attention. There may be hope for you yet.
Don’t flatter yourself, sweetcheeks, you work has gone down markedly in quality in recent years.
Yes, 8:00am, Merkel and her Germans would know what to do with the whiny little bitc&s we have an over abundance of in Cayman if we were a ward of the EU. How would you like a few thousand Syrian refugees dumped on you?
They’d probably assimilate better than the thousands of … others (cough, cough) we already have here.
Just saying…
– Who
WTF are you talking about? Seriously, put the pipe down.
Of course the talks were thin on the substance. The UK government has no clue what it is doing and every negotiation theorist points out what a terrible position Britain is in right now.
Or perhaps speaking before matters are solidified proves wasteful especially considering the medias approach to telling the truth or spinning for political, or ideological interest. It is the same reason why both republican and democratic party wrote legislation for medical care behind close doors. Thankfully the vote has already been cased in the case of Brexit.
Theorist ? Please do not tell me you believe Britain is going to fail? The currency is low at the minute as a result of uncertain agreement parameters but do not think for a second that Britain is not going to stabilize and climb. If you need some proof consider the alarming rate of growth we are seeing in Manchester. Big Big Money ! Opportunity is spilling into the streets in floods
Here is some advice- if you can not afford to buy gold buy the pound.
Tinfoil hat stuff here. The UK had the worst performing economy in the developed world in Q1 2017, because of the Brexit vote, and Article 50 had not been triggered then. Ask anyone in the know in the City about the UK economy – it is carnage out there as everything has ground to a shuddering halt,
I feel so sorry for you City folk having your rapacious capitalist life style interrupted by Brexit. Cut down on the Dom Perignon, bobo, and maybe think about changing professions to something that actually benefits the U.K./world like teaching or nursing or social work…..you know, something that affects and changes people’s lives for the better rather than that lifestyle you have that just lets you condescend to the rest of us while you pile up your money and live in your gated community and send your kids to horrendously expensive private schools along with all the other kids from your “City” background.
Sweetie – my bankfold says otherwise.
I am located in Manchester ,London and these Islands. And am Caymanian to the bone.
Smoke and mirrors. And unfortunately that is all Brexit Minister can pass on as the UK government is completely at sea on this, having bitten off more than they can chew.
I’d rather belong to a country that has bitten off more than it can chew so that it can be free from an unelected, unaccountable and corrupt institution that has choked us for so long.
I’m all for a European free trade area, (a common market) that is what the British people voted for in the 70’s, but we were dragged into the EU without a say and that arrogance has come back to bite politicians where it hurts.
Unlike the millennial whiners and the self interested metropolitan elites, most people want their country back, they want control of their laws and their lives, we don’t want to be political Europeans, we are already Europeans by geography. I don’t need some unelected EU plonker to decide my life as a UK citizen.
Why don’t you pessimists start talking up and supporting your country instead of always moaning and whinging that your view of the world is the only right one. If you love the EU so much, don’t stay, go live with them, nobody’s stopping you, but hand over your passport on the way out.
But then that’s why you’re here and not there isn’t it?
Well said, 9:55am, especially the last sentence.
Interesting. That is the same comment Caymanians are making. Different when the shoe is on the other foot eh?
Thank you.
– Who
Tell Who that.
Cayman is british territory . It is not the same -at all!
You wouldn’t be posting in this thread if that was true.