The Tory Reform Group (TRG), the voice of One Nation Conservatism, has for 50 years championed individual freedom, self determination, international security, the Rule of Law, and upholding our international obligations with allies. We are therefore gravely disappointed in the Labour Government’s proposal to relinquish sovereignty of the Chagos Islands. It is a reckless act of international vandalism that threatens Britain’s security, the defence of our allies, and ignores those who arguably have the greatest claim on the Islands.
Today we, the TRG, are calling on the Government to abandon its approach to the Chagos Archipelago and ensure the Chagossian people have a meaningful say in their future.
Since its election in July 2024, it has been evident that Labour does not understand national security and does not hold the UK’s national interest as a priority. The military base on Diego Garcia is a vital strategic asset for the UK and an important base for NATO allies and the United States. This deal undermines our strong defence posture to the benefit of our competitors and adversaries, especially China, raising serious concerns about our long-term national security and that of our allies. Paying Mauritius vast sums to take over the Islands and then renting them back is incoherent and shameful at a time the government is hiking taxes on working people, pensioners, farmers, and businesses.
Labour has also sidelined native Chagossians, especially the large community in the UK. Any resolution to the issue of sovereignty over the Islands must involve this community and place them at the heart of future negotiations. It is also clear the new Trump Administration, as the primary user of the military base on Diego Garcia, is highly sceptical.
In 2019, the International Court of Justice’s Advisory Opinion stated that, “the United Kingdom is under an obligation to bring to an end its administration of the Chagos Archipelago as rapidly as possible”. It was right that the last Conservative government explored possible alternatives. As a satisfactory outcome – encompassing national security, our alliances, and of course the Chagossians themselves – could not be reached, it was also right they did not agree a deal.
As with so many of Labour’s political instincts, they are attempting to dress this up as a moral and ethical stance, but it fundamentally fails to engage with reality or national security, and only underlines that the Labour Party does not, and cannot, serve the British people well.
We stand with Kemi Badenoch and Conservatives in the Commons and Lords who are right to criticise and seek to halt this approach. This is a bad deal for Britain, for our NATO allies, and for the Chagossians. The TRG urges the Labour Government to abandon its deal.