Rupert Jones, the former attorney general of Anguilla, wrote an article for the Guardian yesterday in which he suggested that the UK's lethargic response to the Hurricane Irma induced crisis that has hit that island and others in the Caribbean is due to the UK's uncertain attitude towards its Overseas Territories due to their tax haven status.
He graciously referred to my comments on this issue on this blog, as did the Guardian when quoting me at length in a related artcile on their web site. I have to say, he and I seem to be of not dissimilar mind. His central argument is that the UK is deeply embarrassed by tax haven activity and the refusal of these places to comply with requests for improved transparency but as he notes:
The UK may hold the local governments of these territories responsible for these failures. What it does not say is that the UK could legislate to require reform tomorrow if there was the political will. There is not, perhaps because of the fear that it would highlight the UK's ultimate responsibility.
This ability on the part of the UK to impose its will on these places is something I have long argued exists, but is strenuously denied in Whitehall. It is good to see it confirmed by someone with very good reason to know the facts.
I also welcome this statement, with which I concur:
Both UK and local politicians also recognise that the islands' economies, heavily reliant on offshore financial services, might flounder with the major loss of jobs. Then the UK may have to provide alternative investment.
I have long argued this is our duty.
In essence what we agree upon is what Rupert Jones says at the end of how own artcile:
I hope he [Boris Johnson] will maximise the UK's response to the devastation wreaked by Irma, as well as using it as an opportunity to discuss our relationship with the overseas territories. It's a conversation long overdue.
I can hope.
But I do not expect it will happen.
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On Channel 4 last night, one of the local leaders compared Britain with France. France has dealt with its affected islands as if they are part of France apparently ( I am not sure if the French population use them as tax havens).
It is indeed criminal that the ‘light touch’ administration of these islands by the UK which is deliberately done to aid offshore wealth storage undermines the needs of the indigenous population at this time. I’m not embarrassed: I’m deeply ashamed.
We are no better than those neo-lib cretins who did not respond to Hurricane Katrina in the US.
I would like to see the UK provide all the infrastructure costs for the public services and locally owned businesses. If the magic money tree can provide £1Billion for the DUP, I am sure we can find the necessary.
France treats its West Indies as separate ‘départements’ of France. As such they are also in the EU. And part of the Euro.
Oh the irony…
Indeed
I have always believed that even far left collectivists were also human. Your comments have made me think again.
I am not sure who or what you are referring to
I am not far left
Nor a collectivist
So I guess you must be addressing yourself
Hi Richard,
With a name that can also mean “I pee more” it looks as if he’s trying to extract it.