Statement from CFOT President Lord Blencathra sets out why The Conservative Party must vote against Labour’s proposed Chagos deal covered in The Telegraph

The Government’s proposed surrender of the Chagos Islands (report, October 7) is a shoddy and short-sighted deal that will be hugely damaging to Britain’s strategic interests. The last Conservative foreign secretary, Lord Cameron, killed off the plan – only for Labour to bring it back from the dead.

It ignores the interests and wishes of the Chagossian people, and appears to have been rushed through because of pending elections in both Mauritius and America. It has caused huge upset and worry among the other British Overseas Territories, which have been forced to seek reassurances from a Government that appears entirely unconcerned about the UK’s continued obligations to them and their peoples.

We also appear to have learnt none of the lessons from Hong Kong, where a deal was negotiated in good faith only for it to be trampled over and ignored, snuffing out democracy for millions.

Parliament will now scrutinise the details, but it is clear that the Conservative Party, as one, must vote against the proposal in both Houses.

Lord Blencathra (Con)
President, Conservative Friends of the Overseas Territories
London SW1