Nigel Farage has written to Foreign Secretary David Lammy to demand a debate and a vote on the future of the Chagos Islands on Monday.
Mr Farage said:
Parliament must be able to scrutinise Starmer’s decision to hand over the Chagos Islands — before a treaty is signed.
I have written to @DavidLammy to request an urgent debate and a vote in the House on Monday.
This surrender was not in the Labour manifesto.
Mr Farage's letter in full:
The Rt Hon Mr David Lammy MP
Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
King Charles Street
London
SW1A 2AH
5th October 2024
Dear Foreign Secretary,
Re: British Sovereignty
I am writing to you to express my deep concern about the Prime Minister's decision, announced on 3 October, to renounce Britain's sovereignty of the Chagos Islands so that this territory comes under the control of Mauritius.
The strategic importance of the Chagos Islands to our nation and to our most important ally, United States of America, is well known. Speaking as an ardent defender of Western global interests, it is difficult to view the deal that appears to have been struck as anything other than a damaging capitulation at a time of growing uncertainty around the world. The key questions that must be answered, therefore, are how it came about that this crucial military possession should be surrendered and whether it is wise that this should happen now.
The future of the Chagos Islands was announced when the House was not sitting, meaning that Members of Parliament from all Parties remain in the dark about so many aspects of this decision. This has led to speculation about the future of the Falkland Islands and Gibraltar. None of this is helpful to anybody. Rather, it is in fact damaging to Britain's security.
With all of this in mind, and before any Treaty is signed with Mauritius, it is vital that the House is given an opportunity to scrutinise the origins of the Chagos Islands deal and to debate its many implications. I would ask that this debate be held at the earliest opportunity, preferably on Monday 7 October, when the House returns from recess. Given the seriousness of the situation, a vote must then take place - particularly because not a word about the future of the Chagos Islands was even mentioned in your Party's latest general election manifesto.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
Nigel Farage MP
https://twitter.com/Nigel_Farage/status/1842619985127973368
