British colonial policy in the Caribbean the insoluble dilemma—the case of Montserrat

Abstract

The relationship of one overseas territory, Montserrat, with the United Kingdom has been tested by the response to a natural disaster. Volcanic activity on the West Indian island was evident in 1995 but it was not until the deaths of 19 islanders some two years later that the issue became high on the agenda in the UK. Before the deaths occurred the Foreign Office apparently failed to appreciate the seriousness of the situation, despite the efforts of the then Governor. Then the Department for International Development appeared unable to decide whether it was faced with an urgent development problem or a true emergency. The constitution was unequal to the task of responding to the emergency.