Tim Foy, OBE
Many of us will have been watching Brexit developments in the UK with interest and some with concern about possible implications of Britain’s departure from the EU for the things that matter to us in Anguilla.
Over the last two years I have worked on this issue and tried to give you honest, factual information about the possible implications, and to update you on what the UK Government has, and continues to do to protect our interests. I do the same again today and thank The Anguillian for the opportunity to do so.
First, no one should doubt that the UK government understands Anguilla’s geographical position, its borders and the critical links we share with our neighbouring island. UK government officials, my office and the Anguilla Public Service have worked methodically to understand how, and to what extent, these links could be affected by Brexit.
Moreover, this understanding is backed by the UK’s genuine commitment to ensure that the interests of all the Overseas Territories, including Anguilla, are reflected in the UK’s negotiating position on withdrawal. There has, and continues to be an active and open dialogue, between Lord Ahmad and the heads of all the Overseas Territories, including Premier Banks.
Second, the issue of continued visa-free access to St. Martin. This is understandably a serious matter for Anguillians. You make most of the near half a million journeys across the water every year, and you do so for many reasons: to visit family and friends, receive medical attention, access education; to make international flights and of course to shop. Given this issue’s importance the UK government has prioritised it in discussions with the French and Dutch authorities. I’ll summarise the position as was set out by Lord Ahmad in a letter to Premier Banks of 24 March this year.
In terms of French St. Martin, the French Ministry of Overseas Territories has confirmed in writing that the current arrangements which allow Anguillians holding either a UK passport or a BOTC passport to enter St. Martin – without a visa – for up to three months in any six-month period will not be called into question because of Brexit. This is a significant assurance secured by the UK government in response to an important and valid concern.
Dutch St. Martin is not part of the EU so there is no reason why immigration rules for Anguillians should change. However, taking nothing for granted, our friends in Sint Maarten have confirmed that their immigration rules will not be affected by Brexit.
Third, I continue to hear and see uninformed claims that Anguilla relies heavily on St. Martin and other EU territories for our imports and that goods from other areas of the world must be transhipped via St. Martin. To borrow the words of a former US Vice President the “inconvenient truth” is that the facts do not support this unfounded but often repeated claim.
Anguilla’s customs data shows that in value terms about 10% of our imports come from these territories and much of that is the shopping we bring back after visiting St. Martin. Three-quarters of our imports come directly to Anguilla from the US including Puerto Rico without transhipment and most of the rest comes directly to Anguilla from other Caribbean states, again without transhipment. This includes all our fuel and most of our food in our stores and medicines used by the Health Authority come through the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States.
Finally, let me take the opportunity to reaffirm two further important facts which I have previously made.
First, Brexit will not change citizenship rights, including the right to a UK passport. The colour of that passport may change and the words European Union will disappear from the top cover, but the right to visit and work in the UK free from any and all controls will remain unchanged, as will eligibility to enter the US without a visa under the ESTA regime. I know these issues are particularly important.
Second, in the event of a no-deal Brexit the UK government has guaranteed the funding committed under the current and previous rounds of the European Development Fund and all other EU programme including Horizon 2020 and the Erasmus and BEST programmes.
I hope the above facts will reassure people that the UK has worked to understand the issues arising from Brexit as they may affect Anguilla. That said no one is taking anything for granted and I and the UK government will continue to keep all matters under review in the interests of Anguilla.
God Bless Anguilla.
Tim Foy
Governor
