Gorst: Jersey must maintain its existing relationship with Europe

Friday 24 June 2016

Jersey's Chief Minister is to write to the UK Prime Minister in an attempt to keep the Island's current relationship with Europe, after the UK voted to leave the EU, by a margin of 52% to 48%.

Senator Ian Gorst says that the Island was prepared for the UK's decision, and is "well-placed to weather the effects of this change." His Assistant Minister Senator Philip Ozouf took to social media this morning to say that the Island had been preparing for 18 months for the effects of Brexit, and a 'triumvirate' including himself, the Chief Minister and the External Relations Minister, Senator Sir Philip Bailhache, would be considering the Island's next move.

But despite those "months of preparation", with the resignation of the UK Prime Minister David Cameron this morning (to take effect in October) it is certain there will be a brand new ministerial set-up in Westminster in the Autumn which the Island will need to build fresh relationships with, at the same time as crucial negotiations are going on with the EU.

Senator Gorst commented:

"Jersey Ministers and Officials have worked hard to ensure that the UK Government understands Jersey's interests and will take them into account in its future negotiations with the EU. We have been clear that, whatever the result of those negotiations, the Government of Jersey believes the Island's best interests lie in maintaining the substance of our current relationships with the EU, as set out in Protocol 3, and with the United Kingdom."

Jersey's relationship with the EU is governed by Protocol 3 to the UK's Treaty of Accession, which will now be scrapped following the referendum result. 

The Chief Minister will be discussing the UK's decision later today with the UK Ministers responsible for links with the Island, as well as briefing States members, and talking to his counterpart in Guernsey. 

"In the coming days I will write to the Prime Minister to set out Jersey's position more formally, and we will continue to work closely with the UK Government in the weeks and months ahead to ensure that we are kept informed of developments and to safeguard Jersey's interests as negotiations progress."

He also moved to reassure those EU nationals currently living in Jersey that, "...we are determined to preserve their contribution to the Island community, which is both welcome and greatly valued."