A cross-party group of MPs has called for the 14 British Overseas Territories (BOTs), including Bermuda, Gibraltar, and the Falkland Islands, to be given representation

in the UK Parliament. While the BOTs are self-governing, the UK remains responsible for their defence and foreign policy.

Conservative MP Karen Bradley argued that the territories deserved a voice in Parliament, and Labour MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle suggested that they should have MPs with voting rights. However, Tory MP Alicia Kearns, chairwoman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, warned that the proposal should only proceed if it reflected the wishes of the BOTs.

Foreign Office minister David Rutley has said that the government is looking at ways to improve BOT representation. Photo by UK Parliament, Wikimedia commons.