They should also not be confused with Dominions, which, known collectively as the Commonwealth, were independent states, held to be equal in sovereign status to the United Kingdom within the Empire and Commonwealth after the Statute of Westminster in 1931. In a historical context, colonies should be distinguished from protectorates and protected states, which though under British control, were nominally independent states, whereas colonies were part of the British state. Territories and dependencies are distinct from the Commonwealth of Nations, a voluntary association of former British colonies. Unlike British Overseas Territories, the British government cannot take over the government of a Crown dependency, unless the government of the Crown dependency agrees. The territories of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man, though also under the sovereignty of the British Crown, have a slightly different constitutional relationship with the United Kingdom, and are consequently classed as Crown dependencies rather than Overseas Territories. If the British Overseas Territory is ruled badly, the government of the British Overseas Territory can be taken over by the British government and ruled directly by it, without the agreement of the British Overseas Territory. British Overseas Territories which have no local population or any population, have no local autonomy. Defence and foreign affairs are looked after by the British government. īritish Overseas Territories have a parliament, government and prime minister to make all laws, except laws about defence and foreign affairs. The British Overseas Territories are also referred to as overseas territories of the United Kingdom, UK overseas territories, or when the context is clear, simply the Overseas Territories. īefore 1981 the territories were known as colonies or Crown colonies. Flags of the British Overseas TerritoriesĪ British Overseas Territory is one of fourteen territories under the United Kingdom's sovereignty, but not as part of the United Kingdom itself.
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