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Guernsey has been represented at the three main UK Party Conferences with Deputies Peter Ferbrache, Jonathan Le Tocq and Nick Moakes joining Labour, Tory and Liberal Democrat MPs for talks.
They said they've taken the opportunity to meet MPs to explain our constitutional position and to promote our economic relationship with the UK.
With a UK general election expected within the next year or so, the three men said it was important to build relationships with Ministers, shadow Ministers and other members of the House of Commons and House of Lords.
Deputy Le Tocq is P&R's lead for external relations meaning he had a number of meetings booked in.
“During the Conferences for the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives, I met with a number of Ministers, shadow Ministers, official spokespersons and other MPs, including the Deputy Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Oliver Dowden CBE MP, the Foreign Secretary, the Rt Hon James Cleverly MP, the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, the Rt Hon Alex Chalk KC MP, and the Ministry of Justice Minister with responsibility for the relationship with the Crown Dependencies, Mike Freer MP," he said.
"Of course, we did not need to explain our constitutional relationship at the meeting with the Ministry of Justice Ministers, but we have discussed our autonomy for domestic matters with other UK parliamentarians at both Conferences. I also had the opportunity to engage with Ambassadors and Heads of Mission who were attending the Conferences, which is part of our ongoing bilateral engagement with other jurisdictions.”
P&R President, Deputy Peter Ferbrache said the island needs to keep a close relationship with UK politicians because what they do directly affects us more often than not.
“Although the date of the next UK General Election is not yet set, we know it will be within the next 12 to 15 months," he said.
"Guernsey's government will work constructively with whichever political party, or parties, is in government in the UK. We do so for the island and, where appropriate, for the wider Bailiwick too.
"As we have seen in recent years, the way the British constitution works is directly impacted by UK politics. This makes it important that UK politicians understand and respect our long-standing rights to make our own decisions and fulfil our own obligations for making legislation, managing public finances and participating in trade agreements and other international treaties."
"I am pleased that my colleagues have had such a productive time at the first two Party Conferences and look forward to attending the Labour Party Conference this week myself.”
Deputy Nick Moakes, the Economic Development lead for international trade and financial services matters, was at the Conservative conference for the first time, an experience he said was very useful.
“International trade is important for Guernsey’s economic future. At my first UK Party Conference, I was pleased to meet various Conservative parliamentarians,
including Ministers from the Department for Business & Trade and HM Treasury.
"Guernsey continues to look outwardly for opportunities which suit our economic interests. I was delighted to meet Ambassadors from around the world, including some whose countries are involved in ongoing negotiations with the UK Government about free trade agreements, and to talk to them about Guernsey’s history and our future interests and economic aspirations.”
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