Speaking of spin, the Deputy Governor of Bermuda wrote a letter to the editor, explaining why Bermudians taking up their right to acquire a British passport must deal with the UK Embassy in Washington, DC rather than the Bermuda Department of Immigration as before:
This change has been driven by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), not the Government of Bermuda, and is part of the FCO’s Passport Rationalisation Project set up in May 2008. Its aim is to deliver a more streamlined and efficient British passport operation. Such changes are happening world wide – not only in Bermuda. The efficiencies in centralising the British Citizen passport issuing system are significant. The new arrangements will work to the benefit of Bermudians.
How exactly, dear sir, will this arrangement work to the benefit of Bermudians? How is it more efficient for us to deal via courier with a faceless bureau in a foreign country than to simply visit a Government office in our own British Overseas Territory?
Sure, I know this saves the UK money. But a cynic might understand this kink in the process as a subtle way of dissuading Bermudians from taking up their citizenship rights, and of distancing ole Blighty from those troublesome little pink bits on the map.
A US Consulate But No UK Consulate? « "Catch a fire" // Oct 23, 2009 at 10:02 am
[...] service at the Bermudian office of immigration that has previously handled these processes. Vexed questions how exactly this development benefits Bermuda [...]