British overseas territory

A United Kingdom overseas territory (formerly known as a dependent territory or earlier as a crown colony) is a territory that is under the sovereignty and formal control of the United Kingdom but is not part of the United Kingdom proper (Great Britain and Northern Ireland). The term "crown colony" is still utilized when refering to the Falkland Islands, British Antarctic Territory, and Gibraltar.

Related Topics:
United Kingdom - Great Britain - Northern Ireland - Gibraltar

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Overseas territories should be distinguished from crown dependencies (the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, which have a different constitutional relationship with the United Kingdom), and protectorates (which were not formally under the sovereignty of the United Kingdom). They should also not be confused with Commonwealth realms, which are independent states sharing the same sovereign as the United Kingdom.

Related Topics:
Crown dependencies - Channel Islands - Isle of Man - Protectorate - Commonwealth realms

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At one time, most crown colonies were directly administered by officials appointed by the British government. Today, however most overseas territories are self-governing colonies, only relying on Britain for defence, foreign affairs, and some trade issues.

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Overseas territories have never been considered integral parts of the United Kingdom, and have never had representation in the British Parliament, on the grounds that they are separate jurisdictions. This is in contrast to other European countries, such as France, Denmark, and the Netherlands, whose dependencies have varying degrees of integration with their so-called 'mother countries'. Only in Malta was integration ever seriously considered by the British Government, in 1955, but this was later abandoned, while in Gibraltar it was rejected outright by the British government in 1976. Successive British governments have argued against integration, to the effect that it is not an appropriate alternative to the status quo or that it is not a modern form of existence, instead advocating the concept of 'partnership'.

Related Topics:
British Parliament - France - Denmark - Netherlands - Malta - 1955 - Gibraltar - 1976

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Queen Elizabeth II is head of state in the overseas territories in her role as Queen of the United Kingdom, not in right of each territory. This contrasts with independent realms of the Commonwealth of Nations, such as Canada or Australia, where the Queen has a separate and distinct role in each realm as "Queen of Canada" or "Queen of Australia".

Related Topics:
Queen Elizabeth II - Head of state - Commonwealth of Nations

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Each territory has a Governor (formally appointed by the Queen), who acts as a representative of the UK government. Unlike Governors-General in Commonwealth realms, the Governor may have real power, and is in charge of the territory's internal security matters, as well as acting as a delegate between the territory and the British government. Governors possess the power to dissolve the legislature and must give assent to all laws. Depending on the stage of the colony's evolution (see Stages of colonial evolution) these may be only exercised in a symbolic capacity. The Governor is usually from the United Kingdom.

Related Topics:
Governor - UK government - Governors-General - Assent - Stages of colonial evolution - Symbolic

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UK government policy on overseas territories is set out in the 1999 White Paper Partnership for Progress and Prosperity: Britain and the Overseas Territories.

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Over the years, colonial governments have evolved in stages, with the intent being eventual independence from Britain. Colonies with tiny populations rarely evolve beyond stage one.

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