“The Sun will never set on the British Empire” is a saying originating from the 19th century describing the might and extent of the British Empire at that time. Its meaning points to the fact that the British Empire controlled such vast holdings that it was always daytime at least somewhere in the empire. Symbolizing strength and perseverance, not even the sun will stop the global empire.
However, since the 19th century, due to wars and public opinion turning against colonization and empires built on it, along with pressures from both the Soviet Union and the United States, the British Empire saw much of its holding turned free. Even after this, the state still held enough overseas territories for the saying to be true: islands and lands in South America, Africa, the Indian Ocean and throughout Asia.
This doesn’t appear to be the case anymore, as in 200 years, the sun may finally set in the British Empire for good.
With the British giving Hong Kong its independence a few years ago, it was already not looking good for the fledgling empire. However, it still held onto a key island that kept them spread apart. In the 19th century, Britain came under ownership of the Chagos Islands off the coast of Madagascar, transforming it into a military base in 1973.
The British recently confirmed that it will be handing over control of these islands to the island state of Mauritius in the coming months. This will finally bring in a finite time for the nation to remain “In the sunlight” as some of their holdings still provide them plenty of time.
The choice to move forward with handing over control is due to a number of factors. The most apparent one is because it is not their land. For a long time, the people of the Chagos Islands have been fighting for their right of self-governance. However, ever since coming under British control, they have been denied, as they needed the land for military bases. The people were forced off of their lands and permanently barred from ever coming back. Although Mauritius has never ruled over these islands before, it still claims them as its own due to proximity and cultural ties.
In combination with this there has been a lot of illegal immigration to the United Kingdom through the Indian Ocean, with these islands used as a stopping point. By giving it away, the British claim it will cut down on these acts.
Most conservatives are still staunchly against giving back the islands, claiming the deal to be a weak one and blaming the other party for starting this. It is still unclear who started this process. However, as former prime ministers and foreign secretaries point the fingers at each other, some claim it was Liz Truss or Boris Johnson’s fault due to their weak leadership and want to pursue these diplomatic missions.
Ultimately, the deal is underway. Although the contract for the U.S. and U.K. military bases on the island will go for 99 more years with room to renew, the act is done. The U.K. will be giving back control of the islands and letting go of not only its land but its history as well. This will mark a turning point for the shadow of the former empire, and this may be the figurative nail in the coffin as the sun finally sets on the British empire.
