Mark Sandford

“ It is likely, at the same time, that overseas territories will find it to convenient to maintain a relationship with the UK at a symbolic or dignified level. In many case a sense of ‘Britishness’ underpins their governance, administration and culture and identity, and this resource would be valuable if the territory should face a crisis of governance. Equally, however tenuous might be the ‘lived reality’ of a link with the UK, its existence is a vital resource in the event of outside attack. ”

“ Under a scheme of substantial self-government, small territories are likely to find it increasingly convenient to use their constitutional resources to secure a high living standard for their inhabitants. ”

“ Secondly, the social and economic issues of populous, urban societies simply will not apply to the requirements of most British overseas territories, most of which number their populations in five figures or less, and most of which enjoy a social stability, due to their remoteness, more comparable with pre-modern or early-modern British society than with its contemporary form. ”