Jersey and Guernsey should have a seat at the United Kingdom Privy Council, according to Guernsey's Deputy Gavin St Pier, who has published a draft amendment to the the island's Royal Assent policy letter.
The UK Privy Council is a formal group of advisors to the United Kingdom as a sovereign nation. While it’s role in the modern era is more ceremonial than executive, Deputy Gavin St Pier argues that the Channel Islands should still have a seat at the table.
“The amendment, if successful, won’t lead to any immediate changes but it would represent an expression of political will by the Assembly that would enable Policy and Resources to open dialogue with the Ministry of Justice at the right time,” he said.
The amendment would add the proposition that Guernsey and Jersey’s potential membership of the Privy Council should be explored.
Draft amendment to Royal Assent policy letter for debate on Wednesday, to open dialogue seeking our own Privy Counsellors.
Awaiting feedback from Policy & Resources but hope they will support as consistent with GWP priorities (enhanced constitutional resilience and autonomy.) pic.twitter.com/ENPDklhZZC
— Gavin St Pier ???????? (@gavinstpier) May 22, 2023
“Whilst the Privy Council in the modern era is largely ceremonial, it’s not appropriate in my view that our interests should be solely represented on it by serving UK politicians with no local knowledge,” continued Deputy St Pier.
“In recent years, the rapidly changing cast of characters that have been responsible in this role have included Liz Truss, Jacob Rees-Mogg and Dominic Raab.
“Having our own Privy Counsellors would also be recognition of our status as the oldest of the Crown’s dominions, as well as our autonomy and political development.
“This is consistent with the Government Work Plan’s objective of enhancing our constitutional resilience and the work of the Constitutional Investigation Committee that worked in the 2012-16 States, delivering the recommendations that have been adopted in P&Rs policy letter.”
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