Beating Retreat 2008

Quietly, ever so, quietly, yet another flag is carefully lowered forever in yet another far flung corner of Her Majesty's former Empire. This time, it is Antigua & Barbuda.

On 30 June 2008 the British High Commission in Antigua will close forever in recognition of the Island's loss of international value.

As with Barclays Bank Plc that skilfully removed its brand from reputational risk in 2006 by the sale of its branches to CIBC under the formation of First Caribbean International Bank, this is another sign that Antigua no longer commands respect.

The small Island of Antigua & Barbuda fought for and gained independence in 1981. In less than thirty years it has achieved greatness. It has become one of the few counties to have developed the highest per capita debt of any country in the world, has proven links to organised crime and appears on the list of the world's most un-cooperative