VIEW FROM THE CPA SMALL BRANCHES CHAIRPERSON
OPPORTUNITIES FOR CPA SMALL BRANCHES IN THE ‘POST-BREXIT’ ERA View from the CPA Small Branches Chairperson In the context of an ever-globalised world, the of voluntary cooperation, goodwill, partnership, meaning of borders and their management understanding, openness and flexibility. Despite is changing. This can create uncertainty and the different statuses and relationships amongst instability especially when it comes to jurisdictions CPA Members with the EU, what is common among which are connected to larger countries in some BIMR Members is that the EU has enabled us all way or another. CPA Small Branches have the to have open borders within it and with each other. ability to prosper in a peaceful and economically This means that within the CPA, the door is also integrated world; however, such a world needs open to welcome opportunities for tourism, trade supranational institutions that enforce free trade and employment as well as increased security and and ensure the proper functioning of markets. stability, which must also be open amongst our Within the Commonwealth, lie a number of small region. jurisdictions who hold limited power over their Hon. Anġelo Farrugia, Similarly, the CPA recognizes that effective own governance since they are not sovereign. MP, Chairperson of the policies and practices can come from the small, the This article will attempt to delve into how the CPA Small Branches and inexperienced and the underdeveloped as well as Small Branches of the Crown Dependencies Speaker of the House of from the large, the sophisticated and the rich. or Overseas Territories deal with such issues Representatives of the For the UK and its Commonwealth partners resulting from their size and historical fates. Parliament of Malta. there is safety in knowing that even once the EU With ‘Brexit’ talks and separation of territories flag goes down, there will always be the much larger amidst discussions, one must not misjudge or side-line the effects Commonwealth family, which, together with its parliamentary arm, that ‘Brexit’ will bring on the smaller dependent countries. Viewing remains a strong tool to foster strength and support among countries ‘Brexit’ as just one country leaving the European Union is a very shortand Parliaments. sighted one. The United Kingdom embraces a number of Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies who over the years have built The ‘post-Brexit’ scenario not only an economy but also a sense of belonging on the back of this We are now facing a ‘post-Brexit’ scenario in which the UK, being the special relationship. Gibraltar is one such overseas territory which has largest and most influential Branch of the CPA British Islands and long been favouring the influence of the British rule and shunning Mediterranean Region, is set to leave the European Union, which – Spanish claims over its territory. This quandary is present also in through its single market – is the largest, most open economy in the other regions of the Commonwealth; talks with Argentina concerning world. One hopes that the close geographic and cultural proximity their claim over the Falkland Islands are also ongoing. If one asks a of the Region with the EU will result in Gibraltar not being collateral Gibraltarian or a person from the Falkland Islands whether they feel damage and becoming a trophy following a battle of territories. 96% of more British or Spanish/Argentinean respectively, I am confident voters in Gibraltar expressed the desire for the UK to remain in the EU. that their reply will be British. Questions over the status and rights Lacking in natural resources, its strong ties with the UK and the EU has of residents of the Sovereign Base areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia in enabled the services sector, through its links with the European Single Cyprus have also been raised. Market, to thrive. ‘Brexit’ is now putting all of this at risk. So what happens in these circumstances when a jurisdiction is so In the discussion about the status of the British Overseas small in ability that it must depend on others? Territories and Crown Dependencies in the context of ‘Brexit’, one During the most recent CPA British Isles and Mediterranean must remember that one of the cornerstones of the CPA is the Region (BIMR) Conference organised by the CPA Gibraltar Branch opportunities it offers for the exchange of information, sharing in May this year, ‘Brexit’ and its effect on different communities was experiences and debating policies. the main issue raised within the Small Branches’ overarching theme. The CPA is recognized by Commonwealth Heads of Government This led to a lengthy yet interesting debate regarding how smaller and intergovernmental agencies as an organisation which acts dependencies will fare following ‘Brexit’. to strengthen good parliamentary governance and contributes The Commonwealth has always worked on the principles in a tangible manner to the development of all the peoples of the 194 | The Parliamentarian | 2017: Issue Three