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Britain and the Commonwealth Caribbean: Policy under New Labour

Clegg, Peter

Authors

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Peter Clegg Peter.Clegg@uwe.ac.uk
Dean and Head of School of Social Sciences



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'.

Citation

Clegg, P. (2006). Britain and the Commonwealth Caribbean: Policy under New Labour. Round Table, 95(385), 411-423. https://doi.org/10.1080/00358530600748218

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