The Chagos Betrayal and Why the Falklands Must Stand in Solidarity

I am sending this from Stanley, in the Falkland Islands, where I am visiting as part of a delegation from the Friends of the British Overseas Territories. This UK-based charity exists to support and give a voice to those living and working in our overseas territories—communities that are an essential part of the United Kingdom’s family, yet too often overlooked by those in power.

There has been much talk recently about one of these territories: the British Indian Ocean Territory, home to the Chagos Islands. In an act that has rightly caused immense controversy, the UK government has signed away sovereignty over the islands, effectively handing them over to Mauritius. The cost of this deal is not just financial—it is a betrayal of the Chagossians, the people who once lived on these islands and were forcibly removed, and who have now been completely ignored.

No one asked them what they wanted. No one gave them the right to self-determination. No one listened.

That is why, as part of the Friends of the British Overseas Territories, I am speaking out. We believe this is deeply wrong. When you actually take the time to listen to the Chagossians—as we have done—you hear something loud and clear: they want to remain British. They want the right to return to their homeland. They want the dignity that has been denied to them by their own government.

So why am I speaking about this here in the Falkland Islands? Because if there is any place on earth that understands the importance of self-determination, it is here. The people of the Falklands know the value of their British identity. They know what it means to have their future debated in distant offices, where others seek to trade away their rights for political convenience. They know that their voice must be heard.

That is why I am here—to ask the people of the Falkland Islands, and others across the British Overseas Territories, to show solidarity with the Chagossians. To stand with them and say: this is wrong. Their voices must be heard. Their wishes must be respected.

When we meet with members of the Falkland Islands community, we are asking them to speak out. Because if the UK truly believes in self-determination, it cannot pick and choose when it applies. The Chagossians must be given the same respect, the same rights, and the same dignity as every other British Overseas Territory.

They have spoken. They want to remain British. It is time their government listened.