Work on the UK/Overseas Territories Strategy has been halted following the surprise announcement by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of a general election on 4 July.
According to a statement from the Cayman Islands government Friday afternoon, the UKs Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office earlier in the day informed all overseas territories heads of government that work on the strategy was being put on hold until a new British government is formed.
Premier Juliana O’Connor-Connolly responded to the announcement, saying, “Today’s decision is neither surprising nor unexpected following the calling of the general election. I have shared this news with my Government as well as the Leader of the Opposition, with whom I have been engaged since the signing of the Joint Declaration at the end of 2023.
“It is my sincere hope that a new UK Government will use the start of their administration to work with the Overseas Territories in a spirit of partnership and bilateral consultation to strengthen our relationship.”
The announcement came at the end of a week-long visit by O’Connor-Connolly and a delegation from Cayman to London, where they have been taking part in talks on “various strategic initiatives and the ongoing relationship between the UK and the Cayman Islands”, according to a Cayman Islands government statement.
O’Connor-Connolly, who was participating in the Education World Forum in the UK during the week, met on Monday, 20 May, with Parliamentary Undersecretary for the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office Minister for the Overseas Territories David Rutley – her first in-person meeting with him since she became premier in November. Governor Jane Owen was also at the meeting.
The new UK/Overseas Territories Strategy was announced in May last year, by the then Foreign Secretary James Cleverley.
Rutley, responding to a question in parliament earlier this month, said the “refreshed strategy” was expected to be published this year.
He said, “The strategy will set clear direction and renewed aims for the UK Government across each of the following themes: economies, environment and climate, defence and security, governance, and communities.
“As set out in the December 2023 UK-OT Joint Declaration, the strategy is being developed through collaboration with the Territories. Consultations across the strategy themes are ongoing and are being delivered through engagement with OT governments, the OTs’ representatives in the UK, Governors, and other key stakeholders.”
Cayman in London
On Thursday, the government issued a statement outlining some details of the meetings the Cayman delegation took part in while in London. Among the matters discussed were the need for consultation and broader engagement on the UK/Overseas Territories Strategy.
As well as looking the now-on-hold strategy with Rutley at Monday’s meeting, O’Connor-Connolly and the Cayman delegation on Monday also discussed beneficial ownership, home fees for Caymanian students in the UK, preparations and support for the upcoming hurricane season and support on national security and irregular migration issues, according to the government statement.
The following day, the premier attended meetings with Members of Parliament Stephen Doughty and Anna McMorrin from the Labour Party’s Shadow Cabinet “to build relationships and to exchange perspectives on a number of issues, continuing the Cayman Islands policy of cross-party engagement”, the statement noted.
On Wednesday morning, the premier accompanied by Minister of Planning, Agriculture, Housing, Infrastructure, Transport and Development Jay Ebanks, sat in the Speaker’s Gallery at the House of Parliament during Prime Minister’s Questions and was acknowledged by Speaker of Parliament Lindsey Hoyle.
She hosted a dinner that evening at the Palace of Westminster with Members of the Cayman Islands All Party Parliamentary Group and other Members of Parliament and the House of Lords. According to the statement, she took the opportunity to thank the outgoing Chair of the Cayman Islands All Party Parliamentary Group, Sir Graham Brady, for his 27 years of friendship and support for the Cayman Islands.
“Against the backdrop of what has turned out to be an extraordinary week in United Kingdom politics, it was important to engage in meetings which strengthened relationships and mutual understanding,” O’Connor-Connolly said in the statement.
“Our efforts to continue to tell our story to decision makers in the United Kingdom are continuing to bear fruit. The Cayman Islands are a success story, and we are very proud of our many achievements across many areas.”
She added that Prime Minister’s Sunak’s announcement on Wednesday that the UK general election would be held on 4 July “serves as a timely reminder that relationship building remains essential. I am deeply honoured that despite their busy schedules, seven Members of Parliament including Minister Rutley and four Peers joined us for an evening of fellowship and re-connection.
“I wish to acknowledge our UK Representative Dr. Tasha Ebanks-Garcia for her exceptional work in raising the Cayman Islands profile in London.”
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