A major review of the United Kingdom’s future relationship with the Virgin Islands and other overseas territories has been thrown into question by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s surprise decision to call a snap general election on July 4.
The influential Commons Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee was set to deliver its findings by the end of July. But that will not now be possible as the current House of Commons is set to be dissolved today following Mr. Sunak’s May 22 announcement. At times, some committees rush out pending reports in the few days before the dissolution, but a spokesperson told the Beacon that the PACAC would not be among them.
“The committee was not at a stage to be able to publish the report on the overseas territories ahead of the dissolution of Parliament on Thursday,” the PACAC spokesperson stated.
Up in the air
The prospect of the post-election PACAC resuming the probe is now a matter for the next members of the committee who will be appointed after the election.
“I’m afraid I’m not able to confirm what a future committee might wish to do with regard to this inquiry,” the spokesperson added.
Previous scandal
The parliamentary body was rocked by scandal in April when former chairman William Wragg resigned his post after becoming embroiled in a sexting controversy.
Committee members had previously defended their decision not to make fact-finding missions to the VI or other Caribbean OTs, stating that they only had time to visit Gibraltar and Bermuda.
Snap election
Mr. Sunak’s decision to announce a summer election last week caught much of Westminster by surprise: He had gone on national television days earlier signalling that such timing would not occur and members of Parliament and media reporters could go on holiday.
Strong Labour lead
The opposition Labour Party is widely rated as more than 20 points ahead of the Conservatives in national polls and appears set to retake power after 14 years of Tory rule.
Meanwhile, many commentators have branded the beginning of Mr. Sunak’s campaign chaotic, and his recent pledge to introduce national service for 18-year-olds has provoked controversy.
With Labour seeming to be on course for a commanding majority in the House of Commons, the party would take control of most committees, including the PACAC.
A separate inquiry by the Commons Procedure Committee regarding the OTs also falls due to the election announcement.
OT strategy
Additionally, the Cayman Compass newspaper reported this week that the Cayman Islands government had said the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office informed all OTs that work on a new UK strategy for the overseas territories would be put on hold because of the general election. The FCDO, however, did not respond when contacted by the Beacon.