Brexit latest in parliament meeting for Deputy St Pier

Wednesday 30 January 2019

A Ministerial Meeting has been hosted in London this week to allow the Crown Dependencies to update their position on Brexit.

Chaired by Robin Walker MP, who has been closely working with the Channel Islands over Brexit, the meetings were established following the Brexit vote to enable discussion between the Chief Ministers of Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man, and the Department for Exiting the European Union.

Minister @WalkerWorcester hosted the Crown Dependencies for further discussions this morning as we continue to ensure that their interests are being fully taken into account during our exit from the #EU pic.twitter.com/4V8Buv4dbj

— Department for Exiting the EU (@DExEUgov) 28 January 2019

The meeting was held ahead of both the next Brexit debate in the House of Commons on the 29 January and the meeting of the States Assembly starting today  where Deputy Gavin St Pier will give a statement outlining further details in relation to the Guernsey response to UK’s withdrawal from the European Union.

The Bailiwick's preparedness for a deal or a no deal was top of the agenda. This looked at progress being made towards joining extension of the UK’s World Trade Organization Membership, the Vienna Convention on Road Transport, the territorial seas around the Bailiwick and our plans with regard to ensuring continued data flows with the UK.

Deputy Gavin St Pier was in London for the meeting with Jersey Senator Ian Gorst. He will be giving his Brexit update today in the States. 

Deputy St Pier said: "The recent meeting with Robin Walker was extremely timely and valuable in light of the ongoing political uncertainty regarding the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. We discussed the detail of the contingency planning, should the UK leave the EU without a deal on 29 March 2019.

Thanks ⁦@WalkerWorcester⁩ for good meeting with Crown Dependencies. Good opportunity to discuss contingency planning and press importance of ongoing engagement re World Trade Organisation, territorial seas and Vienna Convention. ⁦@Ian_Gorst⁩ ⁦@HowardQuayleMHK⁩ pic.twitter.com/nuxB3cNtGx

— Gavin St Pier (@gavinstpier) 28 January 2019

“I was also very pleased to confirm the Committee for Home Affairs’ announcement that it will not charge those EU nationals resident in Guernsey on exit day under its Settlement Scheme. These EU nationals are an integral and valued part of our Island’s community and this decision will help provide reassurance to those families and for businesses.

“It is without doubt that both the UK and the Bailiwick of Guernsey will face some challenges over the coming weeks and months. The continuous dialogue between the UK Government is essential for ensuring that where there are issues of concern these are acknowledged and understood and that the Islands will be best prepared for any Brexit outcome. I also welcomed again the UKs clear recognition that any future relationship negotiated with the EU in due course, must be proportionate in its application to Guernsey.”