[alephnerd]

Both are Overseas Dependencies of the UK.

Well, Bermuda technically has the same status as Scotland and Northern Ireland, but like it's just weird (the entire British system is super confusing and filled with technicalities and edge cases).

British Overseas territories in the Caribbean are just a weird case itself, and every couple years locals and the British govt consider handing them off to Canada.

[gumby]

> the entire British system is super confusing and filled with technicalities and edge cases

On the front of my my first passport (issued in 1968) was the legend "BRITISH SUBJECT". Back then I could barely read, but even when older I didn't really notice it. A few years ago I ran across the passport in my parents' house and thanks to the web was able to look up what it meant: nothing. I apparently did "have" that status but it gave me no rights, privileges or even obligations. Just junk wording on the document.

This was an Australian passport. Though the passports no longer say that on the front, the Queen's name is still inside mine; I suspect that when I renew it in another six years her son's name will unfortunately appear inside.

[alephnerd]

Well, before 1983 it would have allowed you to automatically get voting status in the UK, run as an MP, become a PM, enlist in the Royal Armed Forces, and work in the HMCS.

This was done because of the mass emigration from the UK to Canada+Australia+NZ+ZA in the late 19th and 20th century.

You basically had full British nationality until the UK reformed the system in the 80s.

[NonEUCitizen]

You have six years to work towards another referendum on Australia becoming a republic.

[sidewndr46]

Sounds about like the US, makes sense given our heritage.

[alephnerd]

Not really. The US system is much more formalized, defined, and streamlined due to regulatory changes stemming from FDR.

A lot of the British system's weirdness is due to colonialism and the weirdness of the Commonwealth system.

You don't see a similar number weirdness/edge cases in Australia, NZ, Ireland, Canada, or South Africa either (all 5 forked the British administrative and legal system in the 1930s-1980s)

[sidewndr46]

I guess it's a matter of perspective, the US is still very confusing to me. But thanks for the explanation & information, I wasn't aware that all this was still going on in the Commonwealth.