Britain wants 'grown-up relationship' with territories

THE VALLEY, Anguilla (CMC):

The British Minister responsible for the overseas territories (OTs) and Africa, Henry Bellingham, has told citizens that while the new coalition government would not advocate political independence for the islands, London would not stand in the way of territories that wish to become independent nations.

Bellingham made the comment as he addressed a grouping of concerned citizens during a special meeting on Wednesday held at the Anguilla House of Assembly.

The UK Minister, who spent less than 24 hours on the island before departing for New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly, also held talks with the Executive Council chaired by the island's British Governor Alistair Harrison, Chief Minister Hubert Hughes and the Parliamentary Opposition, headed by former government minister Evans McNeil Rogers.

Bellingham said the new administration in London regarded the overseas territories as being very strategic and very important to Britain, adding that the UK government was looking for a relationship based on mutual respect and trust.

Passionate

"We want a grown-up relationship," Bellingham told the Civic Society grouping, noting that he was "passionate" about the OTs.

Bellingham, who is a lawyer, criticised the last Labour government headed by Prime Minister Gordon Brown for neglecting the overseas territories. He said that Labour Party government seemed to have regarded the OTs as a burden.

He said that the new admini-stration is keen to develop a modern financial centre on the island but warned that proper regulations and the necessary checks and balances must be implemented in line with inter-national standards.

On his first visit to the Caribbean since being elected to office, Bellingham publicly commended Anguilla's Chief Minister and Minister of Finance Hubert Hughes for his election campaign on good governance and corruption.

He noted that good governance sends a strong signal that the island is open for business.

He also underscored the need for proper management of government finances.