Britain and the Commonwealth Caribbean: Policy under New Labour

Clegg, Peter

Abstract

The relationship between Britain and the countries of the Commonwealth Caribbean has been defined largely by declining interest and disengagement since the process of decolonization began in 1962. Occasionally Britain was obliged to re-engage with the region when its interests were challenged, but in general the process of withdrawal has been maintained. Nevertheless, it was hoped that a new chapter in British - Caribbean relations would come with the election of Tony Blair's New Labour government in 1997. At first Labour attempted to re-energize the relationship and undertook a number of institutional and policy reforms in relation to the Caribbean. But the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001, the subsequent 'war on terror', and the increasing pace of trade liberalization changed the priorities guiding UK foreign policy. The result was a stronger focus on Caribbean security, but a downgrading of other aspects of the relationship. This article analyses the nature of Britain's links with the Commonwealth Caribbean at present, and argues that the issue of security barely sustains what was once referred to as a 'special relationship'.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Jul 1, 2006
• Journal: Round Table
• Print ISSN: 0035-8533
• Electronic ISSN: 1474-029X
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis (Routledge)
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 95
• Issue: 385
• Pages: 411-423
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00358530600748218
• Keywords: Caribbean, Britain, politics, security, trade, aid
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/1037818
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00358530600748218