The Premier, the Hon. E David Burt JP, MP travelled to the United Kingdom from 5 May- 12 May for the rescheduled annual meeting of UK government officials and leaders of the Overseas Territories at the Joint Ministerial Council.
The Joint Ministerial Council (JMC) is the highest forum for political dialogue and consultation between UK and elected leaders and representatives of the Overseas Territories for the purposes of providing leadership and promoting cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
It provides a forum for the exchange of views on political and constitutional issues between the governments of the Overseas Territories and the UK Government to promote the security and good governance of the Territories and their sustainable economic and social development and to agree priorities, develop plans and review implementation. The Premier attended JMC as leader of the Government of Bermuda with London Office Director and Bermuda’s UK Representative, Ms. Kimberley Durrant.
This visit also coincided with the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III, which the Premier attended as leader of the Government of Bermuda on 6 May following a formal invitation from Buckingham Palace.
Notable engagements included a bilateral meeting with the Rt. Hon. Lord (Zac) Goldsmith, the UK’s Minister for the Overseas Territories, a meeting with His Excellency Fahad bin Mohammed Al-Attiyah, the State of Qatar’s Ambassador to the UK, and a Reception and Dinner hosted by the Speaker of the House of Commons, where Premier Burt, as the longest-serving Government leader present at the event, was invited to unveil one of the two new stained glass windows that adorn the entrance to the Speaker’s House on Parliament grounds.
The Premier also hosted a Bermuda Society Breakfast Briefing with representatives from key Bermuda’s IB sector. And a ‘Dinner and Dialogue’ event for UK-based Bermudian university students and recent graduates, which afforded them the opportunity to socialise and network with others in their similar career fields and ask the Premier their pressing questions on youth issues.
Media Links:
Governor and Premier to attend King's Coronation
www.gov.bm/articles/governor-and-premier-attend-kings-coronation
Joint Minister Council May 2023
Coronation & Joint Ministerial Council 2023 – Bermuda London Office (bdalondonoffice.co.uk) (10 days)