Parliamentary representation of overseas territories in the metropolis: A comparative analysis

Clegg, Peter; Harder, Marie Staehr; Nauclér, Elisabeth; Cox Alomar, Rafael

Abstract

The consequences of ‘Brexit’ are many, and one that is little discussed is the reigniting of the debate as to whether Britain’s Overseas Territories (BOTs) should have direct representation within the United Kingdom Houses of Parliament; presently they do not. Proponents suggest that this would strengthen the territories’ voice in, and links with, Britain. The article considers this debate by drawing on some of the extant literature on what constitutes a demos, as well as descriptive representation, and the experiences of the Faroe Islands, Greenland, Åland, and Puerto Rico, which do have direct representation in their respective metropolitan parliaments. The article suggests that although there are strong normative arguments for such representation, the mixed record of the territories featured does not offer compelling evidence that a change for the BOTs would bring about significant improvements in how their interests are represented and defended.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 18, 2022
• Online Publication Date: Jun 7, 2022
• Publication Date: 2022-08
• Deposit Date: Jun 7, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 8, 2022
• Journal: Commonwealth and Comparative Politics
• Print ISSN: 1466-2043
• Electronic ISSN: 1743-9094
• Publisher: Routledge
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 60
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 229–253
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14662043.2022.2065623
• Keywords: Parliamentary representation; British overseas territories; metropolis; comparative analysis; Parliamentary representation; Faroe Islands; Greenland; Åland; Puerto Rico
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/9616616
• Publisher URL: https://www.tandfonline.com