Trying to describe the overall outcome of the Eighth UK-Caribbean Forum, the biennial government to government dialogue that took place in London on June 16-17, is far from easy. On the one hand it is clear that this ‘summit’, which was intended to reset Britain’s relationship with the Caribbean, had a number of clear and important deliverables. On the other, it is hard to assess quite where this once special relationship in almost constant flux for more than fifty years, will be in another twenty.
So much so, that even the UK seemed uncertain about how to portray its nature and substance. As it began, a short notice appeared on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website that characterised the relationship as “unique” and as being based on friendship, mutual understanding and shared values.
This Forum, however, was different compared to any previously held, being much more focused on deliverables, with it