MP: Let’s teach about British ‘family’ abroad

CHILDREN should learn about the overseas territories and crown dependencies that form part of the “great British family”, an MP says.

Andrew Rosindell (below) wants them to be fully aware of our relationship with the likes of Bermuda, Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands.

There are 14 overseas territories and three crown dependencies.

But Mr Rosindell said: “I’m astonished how many people, even MPS, couldn’t name them and don’t know anything about them.”

The Romford Conservative MP said there is a “Left-wing bias” which means some teachers try to “indoctrinate children to hate our national past”.

He said: “It’s appalling how some parts of the educational establishment are constantly deriding Britain’s proud history and condemning the British Empire, almost comparing it to what we’ve seen in 20th century communism and fascism.” Mr Rosindell wants overseas territories to send representatives to Parliament to vote on matters directly affecting their citizens. He said: “Gibraltar should be granted its own MP and it would send out a wonderful statement to everybody that [we] are not going to let them be bullied by Spain. They are going to stay British. They are going to be part of our family root and branch.” Mr Rosindell urged making “study of the overseas territories a mandatory part of the primary school curriculum”. School standards minister Nick Gibb said in the history curriculum schools can “teach about the overseas territories at Key Stages 1-2”.