Following conflicting reports about the financial cost of transferring sovereignty over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, an Urgent Question was triggered in the House of Commons to address concerns about the ongoing negotiations.
The agreement, which would end over 200 years of British sovereignty, involves transferring the British Indian Ocean Territory to Mauritius. This includes Diego Garcia, home to a strategically vital UK-US military base in the Indo-Pacific.
Speaking in the House of Commons on the Urgent Question, Dr Neil Hudson criticised the Labour Government for agreeing to pay Mauritius billions of pounds while imposing higher taxes on working families and cutting winter fuel allowances for pensioners.
Dr Hudson also expressed his grave concerns about the implications this decision may have for both national and global security, as relinquishing British sovereignty could create a power vacuum, potentially exploited by hostile actors.
In the Chamber, Epping Forest MP Dr Hudson asked:
“This Labour Government is making choices. Choices claiming that they have no money.
“From taxing jobs, family businesses and family farms, cutting winter fuel payments for pensioners, to delaying much needed new hospitals like Whipps Cross and Princess Alexandra.
“What does the Minister say to my constituents in Epping Forest who are asking, how can this Government now find billions of pounds to pay to give away British sovereign territory, and in so doing, compromising national and global security?”
Speaking afterwards, Dr Hudson said:
“This ill-advised decision not only undermines our global and national security, but also comes at a time when the Labour Government have continuously claimed that they have no money.
“My constituents in Epping Forest are rightly outraged by cuts to winter fuel payments for pensioners, increasing taxes on hard-working families and delays to NHS hospital rebuilds. Yet this Government is willing to spend billions of pounds on surrendering vital British sovereign territory.
“I urge the Government to re-consider this regrettable decision and redirect the money towards addressing issues that matter most to the British people.”
Dr Hudson continues to highlight his concerns regarding the transfer of British Indian Ocean Territory sovereignty to Mauritius. To read more, please see:
