The Conservative Party has unveiled new legislation aimed at halting Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s proposed handover of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius—a move they say would undermine British sovereignty, national security, and taxpayers.
Shadow Foreign Secretary Dame Priti Patel is set to introduce the British Indian Ocean Territory (Sovereignty and Constitutional Arrangements) Bill in the House of Commons today. The bill would prohibit any change to the status of the Chagos Islands without explicit parliamentary approval, effectively blocking the government’s planned transfer of sovereignty, as reported by the Daily Express.
Dame Priti said: “Labour’s Chagos surrender deal undermines our national security, will cost British taxpayers £30bn and has betrayed British Chagossians. Within days of coming to government last year, the white flag was already being waved by Labour, and now we can all see the huge costs it will have and the shameful failure to consider the rights of British Chagossians.”
“This Bill will block the surrender of sovereignty and betrayal of British Chagossians. Keir Starmer and David Lammy have been too busy cosying up to their left-wing lawyer friends and activists to defend our national interests. Parliament must put a stop to this shameful surrender deal and legislate to protect our sovereignty, the rights of British Chagossians and taxpayers’ money.”
The bill also aims to restrict any financial settlements to Mauritius in relation to the deal unless approved by Parliament. This includes the widely contested £30 billion figure which, according to Conservative estimates, represents the true cost of the agreement when inflation and long-term development commitments are factored in.
The Prime Minister previously announced the agreement three weeks ago, stating it would cost the UK £3.4 billion over time. However, critics argue this figure masks the full financial burden.
According to the Conservatives, the breakdown includes:
- £165 million annually for the first three years for Diego Garcia base rental,
- £120 million annually for the next ten years,
- £120 million plus inflation from years 14 to 99,
- £45 million annually for 25 years for development in Mauritius,
- £40 million to establish a Chagossian trust fund.
Using a conservative estimate of 2% annual inflation, the projected total cost exceeds £30 billion.
Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride criticized Labour’s foreign policy direction, saying: “Labour have agreed to hand over British sovereign territory and the taxpayer is on the hook to the tune of billions of pounds for the privilege. This isn’t diplomacy – it’s daylight robbery.”
He added: “When Labour said they would increase defence spending, they did not say they would do it by paying rent on our own land to foreign governments. Every time Labour negotiates, Britain loses.”
