Don’t forget the last time Labour were in power: They were desperate to hand Gibraltar over to the Spanish (with Peter Hain publishing articles about why it was necessary years after it was dead in the water). Totally on-brand move for them
Burnleh on
Time and time again we prove ourselves to be a great bunch of lads, rest of the world could learn a thing or two from us when it comes to foreign policy x
Careless_Main3 on
And just like that, Starmer is single handedly the most traitorous PM of all time.
Dalecn on
Makes sense, not worth bad pr from keeping them as long as the military base can stay.
Don’t believe for one second, that this is what’s best for the Chagos Islanders, though.
Interestingly enough, I believe the sun will technically set on the British Empire now because most of our territories in that side of the world were decolonised or given to Australia/New Zealand.
tree_boom on
Huh. That wasn’t on my bingo card that’s for sure, having the base there to give to the Americans has historically been a very valuable thing for the UK in negotiations with them…I wonder what effect that will have in the future when we have to strike deals with them. The last time it was of most significant benefit was in negotiations for Trident, in which expanded American use of the base was one of the offerings the UK was able to make to get the weapon so cheaply.
> For an initial period of 99 years, the United Kingdom will be authorised to exercise with respect to Diego Garcia the sovereign rights and authorities of Mauritius required to ensure the continued operation of the base well into the next century.
JAGERW0LF on
It was never theirs to begin with wtf. What is it with our governments and being so fucking naive
Yeoman1877 on
In practice makes little difference as the base on Diego Garcia will be retained and that was the only part of value. The previous stance was that the islands would be passed over when the base was no longer needed.
Questjon on
Either we’re part of a global rules based system or we’re not. The UN says we don’t have sovereign claims to the territory and need to hand it back and we’re complying. Losing territory might rub a few nationalists the wrong way but the security we gain from a more stable world far outweighs fighting for empires. World diplomacy is not a zero sum game, we all stand to benefit from peace and cooperation.
Haulvern on
This government just keeps getting better and better…
SirTheori on
Worst treason since Hong Kong was surrendered. I hope His Majesty has the good sense to stop this nonsense.
[deleted] on
[deleted]
SKYLINEBOY2002UK on
How many people actually knew about the UK sovereignty over them though!?
Yet people will complain and moan, for some bizarre reason.
Mellllvarr on
Ahh yes, the warm fuzzy feeling of altruism, a pity that it gives nothing tangible to the British people whatsoever. Just because something is ‘morally right’ doesn’t mean it’s the right course of action.
swed2019 on
This is an important strategic military asset for the defence of the free world and within 3 months of gaining power Labour gave it away to an ally of China, without even consulting parliament about it. This is a huge mask off moment. The left are a 5th column.
model-alice on
The military base is being kept under UK/US occupation, so this means nothing. Britain still *de facto* occupies the islands. Every soldier at Diego Garcia is a criminal and should be handed over to Mauritian authorities for prosecution.
ACE--OF--HZ on
Another embarrassing decision by this government. Let’s just hand over the islands to a state in bed with China, David Lammy is a disgrace.
Realistic-River-1941 on
How do Eastern European countries feel about undoing post-war settlements which involved population transfers?
finniruse on
And we paid them for the pleasure?
“The two countries will set up a new partnership. The UK will provide a package of financial support to Mauritius, including a focus on infrastructure. Mauritius will now be able to bring in a programme of resettlement on the Chagos Islands – except the military base island of Diego Garcia.”
aonome on
Adults in the room sensibly giving up sovereignty of a strategic territory to a country that has never controlled it because of a vibe about colonialism or something
SittingBull1988 on
What benefit to britian is it having a military base in the middle of the indian ocean?
If we had a global empire to run/defend i would see the appeal but not how we are now.
20 Comments
Don’t forget the last time Labour were in power: They were desperate to hand Gibraltar over to the Spanish (with Peter Hain publishing articles about why it was necessary years after it was dead in the water). Totally on-brand move for them
Time and time again we prove ourselves to be a great bunch of lads, rest of the world could learn a thing or two from us when it comes to foreign policy x
And just like that, Starmer is single handedly the most traitorous PM of all time.
Makes sense, not worth bad pr from keeping them as long as the military base can stay.
Don’t believe for one second, that this is what’s best for the Chagos Islanders, though.
Interestingly enough, I believe the sun will technically set on the British Empire now because most of our territories in that side of the world were decolonised or given to Australia/New Zealand.
Huh. That wasn’t on my bingo card that’s for sure, having the base there to give to the Americans has historically been a very valuable thing for the UK in negotiations with them…I wonder what effect that will have in the future when we have to strike deals with them. The last time it was of most significant benefit was in negotiations for Trident, in which expanded American use of the base was one of the offerings the UK was able to make to get the weapon so cheaply.
EDIT: OK, the [actual government statement](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/joint-statement-between-uk-and-mauritius-3-october-2024) makes clear we’re keeping it as a sovereign base area:
> For an initial period of 99 years, the United Kingdom will be authorised to exercise with respect to Diego Garcia the sovereign rights and authorities of Mauritius required to ensure the continued operation of the base well into the next century.
It was never theirs to begin with wtf. What is it with our governments and being so fucking naive
In practice makes little difference as the base on Diego Garcia will be retained and that was the only part of value. The previous stance was that the islands would be passed over when the base was no longer needed.
Either we’re part of a global rules based system or we’re not. The UN says we don’t have sovereign claims to the territory and need to hand it back and we’re complying. Losing territory might rub a few nationalists the wrong way but the security we gain from a more stable world far outweighs fighting for empires. World diplomacy is not a zero sum game, we all stand to benefit from peace and cooperation.
This government just keeps getting better and better…
Worst treason since Hong Kong was surrendered. I hope His Majesty has the good sense to stop this nonsense.
[deleted]
How many people actually knew about the UK sovereignty over them though!?
Yet people will complain and moan, for some bizarre reason.
Ahh yes, the warm fuzzy feeling of altruism, a pity that it gives nothing tangible to the British people whatsoever. Just because something is ‘morally right’ doesn’t mean it’s the right course of action.
This is an important strategic military asset for the defence of the free world and within 3 months of gaining power Labour gave it away to an ally of China, without even consulting parliament about it. This is a huge mask off moment. The left are a 5th column.
The military base is being kept under UK/US occupation, so this means nothing. Britain still *de facto* occupies the islands. Every soldier at Diego Garcia is a criminal and should be handed over to Mauritian authorities for prosecution.
Another embarrassing decision by this government. Let’s just hand over the islands to a state in bed with China, David Lammy is a disgrace.
How do Eastern European countries feel about undoing post-war settlements which involved population transfers?
And we paid them for the pleasure?
“The two countries will set up a new partnership. The UK will provide a package of financial support to Mauritius, including a focus on infrastructure. Mauritius will now be able to bring in a programme of resettlement on the Chagos Islands – except the military base island of Diego Garcia.”
Adults in the room sensibly giving up sovereignty of a strategic territory to a country that has never controlled it because of a vibe about colonialism or something
What benefit to britian is it having a military base in the middle of the indian ocean?
If we had a global empire to run/defend i would see the appeal but not how we are now.