Relationship improving but drop independence talk

Friday 17 January 2014

Jersey’s relationship with the UK is stronger than ever according to a report by MPs, but they have warned against more talk about independence by the Island’s politicians.

The report by the House of Commons Justice Committee has been welcomed by ministers here, and notes what MPs call ‘a general improvement in the relationship between the UK and the Crown Dependencies’ and a quicker process for signing-off legislation.

But the report did make reference to public statements by Jersey’s Foreign Minister Philip Bailhache on the subject of independence, and the Ministry of Justice’s view that they cannot adopt more of a “lighter touch” approach than they currently do.

The authors concluded: “While the relationship has evolved over time and will rightly continue to do so, its very nature imposes certain responsibilities on the UK which it cannot ignore. We are therefore not convinced that any attempt to achieve a fundamental re-balancing would be fruitful.”

Relations between the islands were at a low point a few years ago, but have been steadily improving even in the face of the decision by ministers to take the UK government to court over their action to close down the offshore fulfillment industry that had popped up here with firms like Play.com.

Responding to the Justice Committee’s report, Chief Minister Ian Gorst said: “The focus by the Ministry of Justice on core constitutional responsibilities has been very successful, and we are also grateful for their support, as needed, in dealings with other departments in Whitehall. For our part, we have also made considerable efforts to develop this most important relationship with the UK.  We now have a London office which enables us to maintain even closer day-to-day contact.”