Under the 2009 Constitution, the islands have full internal self-government; the UK is responsible for foreign affairs, retaining the power "to protect UK interests and to ensure the overall good governance of the territory".
根据2009年通过的宪法，群岛拥有充分的内部自治权，英国只负责外交和军事事务，保留军事力量“保护英国利益并确保领地整体上得到良好治理”。