The Conservative Party is gearing up to apply pressure on the government regarding the Chagos Islands. This comes amid questions surrounding the £3.4 billion deal intended to transfer sovereignty of these islands to Mauritius. The shadow defense secretary, James Cartlidge, will represent the opposition in the upcoming Prime Minister’s Questions, standing in for Kemi Badenoch, the deputy prime minister.
Chagos Islands Sovereignty Deal
The Chagos Islands, particularly Diego Garcia, are significant due to the presence of a US-UK military base. The Conservative Party has expressed concerns over the proposed deal, which they believe requires careful consideration.
Recent Developments
This week, the Tories achieved a notable victory in Parliament. They successfully pushed to pause the legislation for the Chagos deal. This suspension was initiated after an amendment was proposed by Tory peer Lord Callanan. His amendment called for a consultation with the Chagossians before proceeding further.
Political Context
- Kemi Badenoch is the current deputy prime minister.
- James Cartlidge is the shadow defense secretary.
- Robert Jenrick is seen as a potential leadership challenger to Badenoch.
- The Chagos Islands deal is valued at £3.4 billion.
The Conservative Party aims to ensure that the voices of the Chagossians are heard as the government navigates this complex issue. With Cartlidge in the spotlight at PMQs, the party seeks to hold the government accountable on this critical matter.
