Montserrat and Other Overseas Territories Could Have Representation in UK Parliament

The United Kingdom House of Commons is supporting a move to give Montserrat and the other Overseas Territories representation in Parliament.

To help facilitate parliamentary representation of the Overseas Territories at the UK Parliament, the UK House of Commons will explore providing facilities to support this aim if the territories were to wish to pursue this avenue.

This was one of the conclusions of the recent Overseas Speakers Conference in London.

The Speakers also called for the UK Government to provide impact assessments from any bill laid before Parliament that will affect the Overseas Territories.

In an article in the London Daily Telegraph, Conservative MP John Penrose argued that Britain’s overseas territories should be allowed to elect MPs to the House of Commons, as a step towards integration with the UK.

Ged Martin, Emeritus Professor, University of Edinburgh, UK, responded that the Overseas Territories could be the losers through representation at Westminster.

According to him, a device designed to capture Parliament’s attention might also encourage Parliament’s intervention.