Territory Leaders Seek Modern UK Ties
Leaders from Caribbean British Overseas Territories have released their formal outcome statement following high-level talks in Bermuda, demanding a modernized constitutional framework with the United Kingdom. The communique also outlines joint initiatives spanning UK free trade agreements, climate finance mechanisms, cyber defense, and parliamentary representation in London.
Leaders from across the Caribbean British Overseas Territories, including the Virgin Islands, have released their official outcome statement following high-level talks in Hamilton, Bermuda. The 2026 Overseas Territories Caribbean Caucus brought together the Premiers of Anguilla, Bermuda, the Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, and Montserrat, alongside the Deputy Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
David Burt at the Bermuda Cabinet Office, the leaders issued a united call for a modernized partnership with the United Kingdom anchored in mutual respect and the right to self-determination. A central priority in the outcome statement is establishing a formal, codified process for constitutional reform.
Leaders noted that territories frequently spend excessive time negotiating procedural hurdles rather than core governance matters. They urged His Majesty's Government to replace the outdated 2012 White Paper with a transparent policy tailored to each territory's individual ambitions.
The caucus also adopted the principle of equilibrium, asserting that any constitutional advancement granted to one territory should automatically be extended to others without duplicate negotiations. To strengthen their advocacy in London, the caucus agreed to revive a collective All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Overseas Territories in the UK Parliament, while expressing gratitude to House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle for his continued support.
Leaders also emphasized that non-sovereign status should not prevent territories from participating in regional and international organizations, which are essential for trade, disaster resilience, and health partnerships. On economic cooperation, territory leaders requested a clear pathway from the UK government to extend British free trade agreements to the territories, alongside plans to conduct joint trade missions.
To address the rising cost of living, leaders advanced proposals for a direct shipping route between the UK and the Caribbean territories, agreeing to invite shipping industry representatives to the upcoming Joint Ministerial Council to discuss freight and insurance costs. The caucus also addressed long-standing social inequities, reiterating demands for the UK to end the unfair freeze on annual State Pension increases for territory residents.
In healthcare, leaders confirmed arrangements to share unused allocations under the National Health Service quota system, while seeking UK support for territorial Chief Medical Officers and proposing regional health centres of excellence. Addressing emerging threats, leaders highlighted cyber security as a matter of national security and defense, urging London to provide capacity building, preparedness support, and defensive tools to protect against significant cyber attacks.
Environmental resilience was also prioritized, with leaders pledging to share regional frameworks to access climate funding, including utilizing established territory trust funds. The caucus agreed to advance their unified positions collectively ahead of the next Caribbean Caucus in the Cayman Islands.
Primary source: BVI Government