The reason behind Britain returning the Chagos Islands was revealed.
In a significant turn of events, the Conservative Party (Tories) in the UK has expressed concern over the government's decision to cede the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. The Tories argue that this decision sets a "terrifying precedent" for British populations in Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands, and could potentially weaken the UK's alliance with the US.
The Chagos Islands, strategically located near four global maritime chokepoints, have been a point of contention for many years. The Tories have been vocal in their opposition to the deal, citing financial, strategic, and security concerns.
Financially, the Tories have highlighted that the deal's reported cost of around £34.7 billion over 99 years far exceeds the £3.4 billion figure claimed publicly by the Labour government. They accuse Labour ministers of obscuring the true financial impact to Parliament and the public.
Strategically, the Tories express worries that handing the Chagos Islands to Mauritius undermines UK sovereignty over a key military base at Diego Garcia, which is vital to UK and US security interests. They warn that this "surrender" could weaken Western strategic positions and benefit rising powers like Communist China, with whom Mauritius has closer ties.
In addition, the Tories have threatened strong retaliatory measures against Mauritius if it does not return the islands to British control. Conservative-aligned and allied parties, such as Reform UK, have suggested visa cancellations, flight restrictions, and severed diplomatic ties as potential responses.
The Chagos Islands were ceded to Mauritius by the UK without informing MPs in 1965, and the UK will now pay Mauritius rent for a 99-year lease. The Anglo-American base on Diego Garcia has proven its military value multiple times.
The UK's decision may be seen as a breach of the UK's half-a-century-old promise to return the Chagos Islands when they were no longer of use to the US military. The Chagossian people, who were forcibly removed from the islands in the 1960s and 1970s, have been let down by this decision.
Interestingly, it was James Cleverly, the former foreign secretary, who initiated talks on the Chagos Islands in 2022, not Sir Keir Starmer, as some might assume. The Tories' criticism of the deal may be driven by a self-interested desire to censure the government.
Despite the Tories' opposition, the deal has more continuity with the Tories' approach than Labour's, as Mauritius is not part of China's Belt and Road Initiative, and it is likely to remain so as long as the UK is paying rent for the Chagos Islands. However, Mauritius may lease neighboring islets to the world's fastest-growing naval power, which could raise further concerns.
In conclusion, the Tories' opposition to the Labour-led agreement on the Chagos Islands is based on financial, strategic, and security concerns. They frame the deal as a "surrender" of British territory with adverse implications for global security.
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