Deputy Al Brouard was the first to highlight historic issues with pan-island working. He approached Guernsey Electricity Limited (GEL) to learn more about previous issues with the GJ1 cable between Guernsey and Jersey. 

When the cable was on the verge of failing “in 2015 GEL and JEL contributed to the repair, but JEL capped the amount it was willing to pay rather than its liability under the CI agreement” said Deputy Brouard. 

“In 2018, GEL paid for the repair and there was no contribution from JEL – they refused to pay their share after the work in 2015. 

“In 2019 JEL paid for the replacement cable in accordance with the terms agreed under the revised CIEG arrangements, however JEL expected a compensation payment for the repair costs of 2015 before giving their consent to replace – and so on and so forth.” 

Pictured: Deputy Brouard.

He then went on to highlight how this back and forth highlights a tortured relationship with Guernsey's counterparts across the water. 

"What was the attitude of Jersey States and JEL when we had issues when the cable was failing – was their response a) do everything they possibly could to facilitate a licence to land a replacement cable and help us or was it b) doing everything they possibly could to delay, frustrate and drag fishing licences into negotiations?  

"It was b) wasn't it. 

“It took four years to get a fee per licence that the professionals advise me could have taken four months, we would have had a cable in place before GJ1 one failed... this delay also meant that when we went to the market to buy a cable we were buying it in a distressed position because we really needed it.  

“[This left us] running the generators at St Sampson's for an extra seven months, costing the island an extra £1million a month. That's from our cousins in Jersey helping us when our cable failed. And we have a proposition here that we want to work closer?” 

Later in debate Deputy Peter Roffey, the President of the States Trading and Supervisory Board, who has oversight of GEL, said while he doesn’t condone airing “dirty laundry” the decision being asked of the Assembly was too big not to. 

Pictured: Deputy Roffey said, “I regret to do this, but we’re being asked to down such a big fundamental route... so I’m going to have to".

Deputy Roffey continued: “I agree with those that say there are areas for working together. The Channel Island Electricity Grid... has given us better purchasing power, but the work underneath? My goodness it has been difficult. 

“The cable between here and Jersey has significantly more capacity than we are licenced under the CIEG to actually take through to Guernsey – this was done originally because the interconnector between Jersey and France only had limited capacity and that was seen as Guernsey's fair share. 

“Now, extra capacity has been put in between Jersey and France, and we've asked ‘well why can't we take more through the onward cable to Guernsey?’ - the door closed in our face, and it means more electricity has to be generated in Guernsey at more cost. It is not a good working relationship.” 

"That was the mindset"

He then referred to an incident where Jersey bargained with Guernsey for a fresh cable between the island. 

“We were being told if you want your fresh cable, we want our fishing fleet to have access to the whole of Guernsey waters. That was what's being demanded in return. And it was only Deputy Ferbrache reading the riot act and saying that these demands would lead to what would virtually be the local equivalent of a political civil war within the archipelago that eventually got them to back down. 

“That was the mindset.” 

And it wasn’t only the past relationship in electricity generation that came under fire, Deputy Andy Taylor said he has seen first hand how difficult things can be during his short time in government. 

He commented on his cross-island work on the Cyber Emergency Response Team. 

“What I had established is that we were working very hard with Jersey and we were working towards a common goal. They change their mind and I won’t say where they left us, but it was in something very smelly, and we've had to do extra work to get the project back on track. 

“I think that both islands really, really need to have their backs to the wall in an even worse financial situation before we'll actually start working together properly.” 

Many in the Assembly did however support the idea of more collaboration, with many hoping for a future with a better relationship. Deputy Neil Inder said that he genuinely thinks there is a want for the island’s to work better together. 

“Having met some of the senior politicians in Jersey I genuinely think there is a desire for us to work together,” he said. 

“What I often find is that it’s officers potentially who don't want to, and I'm reminded by Deputy Trott of some very salient points, that Jersey will eat your breakfast and probably your lunch as well if they get a hold of it - but hope springs eternal! 

“I do believe that our islands should work together more often.” 

The amendment lost and P&R will not be asked to review more collaborative working.