The United Kingdom’s Overseas Territories are an integral part of Britain’s life and national history. They include one of the world’s richest communities (Bermuda) and the most remote community (Tristan da Cundha).

The United Kingdom’s Overseas Territories are an integral part of Britain’s life and national history. They include one of the world’s richest communities (Bermuda) and the most remote community (Tristan da Cundha). Most of the people in the Territories are British and our continuing connections bring numerous benefits to the UK and to the Territories.

The common bond between the Overseas Territories and the UK means that our futures are intertwined with and impacted by UK political events such as the ‘Global Britain’ agenda and the upcoming General Election.

The Conservative Friends of Overseas Territories (CFOT) has a vision for the Territories: of flourishing communities, proudly retaining aspects of their British identity and creating new opportunities for young and future generations, of natural environments protected and managed to the highest international standards. CFOT wants to see strong and sustainable economies where opportunities exist to set world standards in stewardship of the natural environments which we have inherited. The Conservative Party Membership have much to offer, but also much to learn from working with the Territories.

It does not stop with the Conservative Party. CFOT aims to support partnerships between the private sector, the NGO community and civil society in the UK and the Territories. Whilst our aims are broad ranging, we will focus policies which address the Overseas Territories unique cultures, traditional and ecosystems.

In November 2023 the Foreign Affairs Committee launched a Sub-Committee on the Overseas Territories – which prompts key questions into the evolving political relationship between the Overseas Territories and the UK: examining potential reforms and perceptions of the residents of the Overseas Territories.

It is an ideal time to launch CFOT and to raise awareness within the Conservative Party of these British communities, lands and seas around the world, and champion their importance and profile within the party.
We look forward to reporting regularly on the diversity, successes and opportunities in the Overseas Territories and the many links that bound up our relationship with them.

If you’re interested in supporting Conservative Friends of Overseas Territories with research and policy work, or if you have research coming out soon that you think might be of interest to us, then please do get in touch with our Director of External Affairs and Engagement – [email protected].