Chief Islander meets UK Prime Minister
Report and photos from Tristan Government UK Representative Chris Carnegy
Chief Islander James Glass (at the head of the table) in JMC session on 21st November
Tristan da Cunha's Chief Islander met with the UK Prime Minister at the climax of the 2024 Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Council.
Sir Keir Starmer and Foreign Secretary David Lammy held a closed-door session with Territory leaders on 21 November 2024. James conveyed greetings to each of them from Tristan da Cunha. Both UK politicians underlined their firm commitment to the OTs, and Mr Lammy noted the importance of UK help with critical OT infrastructure.
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| Overseas Territories minister Stephen Doughty replying to James's intervention |
UK PM Sir Keir Starmer |
The moment formed the centrepiece of a positive final day of JMC events. James made significant interventions in the debates, addressing the special needs of remote communities around development aid, health and education. Several of Tristan's key messages were reflected in the JMC communiqué.
JMC reception photos
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Above: James Glass with Alison Leighton and Richard Pellew from the UK's Maritime and Coastguard Agency. Right: With Adrian Gahan, chair of the Great Blue Oceans coalition. |
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| Overseas Territories minister Stephen Doughty addressed the closing reception | James with dentist Rob Pickering, who came to Tristan in 2024 |
James with former Administrators (2020-2022) Steve Townsend and Fiona Kilpatrick
When the formalities were over, a reception in the FCDO's sumptuous Locarno suite brought together old and recent friends of Tristan da Cunha. It was a fitting end to a productive week.