Overseas Territories that voted to Remain British territories

These British Overseas Territories are territories under the jurisdiction and sovereignty of the United Kingdom. This territories are fourteen in number and are located majorly in the oceans. They do not, however, form part of the united kingdom. Instead, they are those parts of the former British Empire that have not acquired independence, or, unlike the Commonwealth realms, have voted to remain British territories. While each has its own internal leadership, most being self-governing, they share the British monarch (Queen Elizabeth II) as head of state.

1. British Antarctic Territory

This territory is located in the Antarctic with the motto; research and discovery. The population in this territory is not permanent so also there is no native population; therefore there is no elected government. An administrator supports the commissioner in running the affairs of the territory.

2. South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

South Georgia and the south sandwich islands are located in the south Atlantic ocean with motto; Let the lion protect his own land. The population in this territory is not also permanent; therefore there is no elected government. An administrator supports the commissioner in running the affairs of the territory.

3. British Indian Ocean Territory

This territory is located in the Indian ocean with the motto; Lemuria is in our charge. Currently there is no native settled population and so, there is no elected government. The Chagos Islanders, who were forcibly evicted from the territory in 1971, won a High Court Judgement allowing them to return but this was then overridden by an Order in Council preventing them from returning. The final appeal (regarding the lawfulness of the order in council) to the House of Lords was decided in the government's favour, exhausting their legal options in the United Kingdom at present.

4. Akrotiri and Dhekelia

This territory is located is in the Mediterranean .There is no elected government. However, the Commander British Forces Cyprus also acts as the territory's Administrator, with a Chief Officer responsible for day-to-day running of the civil government; as far as possible, there is convergence of laws with those of the Republic of Cyprus.

5. Pitcairn Islands

Pitcairn Islands are located in the pacific ocean. There are an elected Mayor and Island Council, who have the power to propose and administer local legislation. However, their decisions are subject to approval by the Governor, who retains near-unlimited powers of plenary legislation on behalf of the United Kingdom Government.

6. Falkland Islands

This is located in the south Atlantic ocean with motto; Desire the right. The Government consists of an elected Legislative Assembly, with the Chief Executive and the Director of Corporate Resources as ex officio members.

7. Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha

It is located in the south Atlantic ocean with motto; Our faith is our strength. The Government consists of an elected Legislative Council. The Governor is the head of government and leads the Executive Council, consisting of appointed members made up from the Legislative Council and two ex-officio members. Governance on Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha is led by Administrators which are advised by elected Island Councils.

8. Anguilla

It is located in the Caribbean and North Atlantic Ocean with motto; Strength and Endurance. Anguilla has a House of Assembly, Legislative Assembly with political parties. The Executive Council is usually called a cabinet and is led by a Chief Minister (in Anguilla), who is the head of government.

9. British Virgin Islands

It is located in the Caribbean and North Atlantic Ocean with motto; Be Watchful. British Virgin Islands has a House of Assembly, Legislative Assembly with political parties. The Executive Council is usually called a cabinet and is led by a Premier, who is the leader of the majority party in parliament. The Governor exercises less power over local affairs and deals mostly with foreign affairs and economic issues, while the elected government controls most "domestic" concerns.

10. Cayman Islands

It is located in the Caribbean and North Atlantic Ocean with motto; He hath founded it upon the seas. This territory has a Legislative Assembly with political parties. The Executive Council is usually called a cabinet and is led by a Premier, who is the leader of the majority party in parliament. The Governor exercises less power over local affairs and deals mostly with foreign affairs and economic issues, while the elected government controls most "domestic" concerns.

11. Montserrat

It is located in the Caribbean and North Atlantic Ocean. Montserrat has a House of Assembly, Legislative Council with political parties. The Executive Council is usually called a cabinet and is led by a Premier, who is the leader of the majority party in parliament. The Governor exercises less power over local affairs and deals mostly with foreign affairs and economic issues, while the elected government controls most "domestic" concerns.

12. Gibraltar

It is located in the Iberian Peninsula with motto; No enemy shall expel us. Gibraltar now has a Parliament, under the Gibraltar Constitution Order 2006 which was approved in Gibraltar by a referendum. The Government of Gibraltar, headed by the Chief Minister is elected. Defence, external affairs and internal security vest in the Governor as a matter of distribution of powers.

13. Bermuda

It is located in the North Atlantic Ocean with motto; Whither the Fates carry. Bermuda, settled in 1609, and self-governed since 1620, is the oldest and most populous of the Overseas Territories. The bi-cameral Parliament consists of a Senate and a House of Assembly, and most executive powers have been devolved to the head of government, known as the Premier.

14. Turks and Caicos Islands

It is located in the Lucayan Archipelago and North Atlantic Ocean with motto; Beautiful by nature, clean by choice. The Turks and Caicos Islands adopted a new constitution effective 9 August 2006; their head of government now also has the title Premier, their legislature is called the House of Assembly, and their autonomy has been greatly increased.