A 'deeply proud' moment for Guernsey's Chief Minister

Sunday 10 November 2019

The Bailiwick of Guernsey has been represented at a political level for the first time at the Act of Remembrance at the Cenotaph in London.

Deputy Gavin St Pier was invited to lay a wreath in London, along with his peers from Jersey, the Isle of Man and other Overseas Territories.

The President of Guernsey's Policy and Resources Committee, which is the island's most senior political role, was also representing the governments of Alderney and Sark as well as all residents of the Bailiwick.

While the islands have been represented by military personnel and veterans, emergency service staff, charity workers and other volunteers over the years, this was the first time the Crown Dependencies and other Overseas Territories have been asked to join on a political level, and to lay a wreath in honour of their own fallen heroes.

In doing so, the Crown Dependencies were given a central position during the official proceedings. Deputy Gavin St Pier, Senator John Le Fondre from Jersey and Howard Quayle of the Isle of Man, were clearly seen in national coverage of the Act of Remembrance at the Cenotaph, as they waited behind the UK's most senior politicians to lay their wreaths.

Deputy St Pier tweeted that it was a "deeply proud" moment and "very moving" as he described the atmosphere at the Cenotaph. 

Deeply proud to have been able to represent whole Bailiwick. Very moving: silence began with (very loud) cannon from Horseguards; only sound then was screech of frightened starlings from trees. Last Post reverberating round Whitehall is spine tingling. #WeWillRememberThem https://t.co/fdIHZgpjtt

— Gavin St Pier (@gavinstpier) November 10, 2019

The assembled politicians watched as His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales first laid a wreath on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen who was watching from a nearby balcony with other members of the Royal Family. His Sons the Duke of Cambridge and the Duke of Sussex then laid wreaths, followed by The Princess Royal, Duke of York and Earl of Wessex.

The political leaders then laid wreaths with the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson first, followed by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

Pictured top: Main image from PA.