British overseas territories? (cabinet, cost of, military)

[WIHS2006]

What control exactly does the government in London have over the prime minister and parliament in a territory itself? Can the governor reject laws or fire cabinet officials at will?

I have studied this and it seems to me that British territories are totally internally self governing while the London government only controls defense and foreign affairs ... if this is the case then why not go totally independent considering they are already like 95% of the way there?

[Brontosaurus]

I would guess it's because they consider they are getting a good deal on defense. Most of them are small islands with tiny populations and could not defend themselves against a larger adversary. Remember the Falklands !

[lentzr]

I was recently in the British Virgin Islands when I asked my tour guide that same question. He told me that the B.V.I. will never achieve full independence in his lifetime. He said that people are content where they are now and the cost of independence would be too great...ex. embassies, military, diplomats, etc. Also, people in the BVI feel they would not be able to support themselves economically because they are simply too small and economically fragile. Hence, there is no real movement for independence in the BVI, just occasional talk of it.