A CLOAK of mystery still surrounds yesterday’s political seminar on constitutional affairs - officially at least. States members met at La Trelade for presentations and discussions on the issue.
Chief Minister Mike Torode advised members not to talk to the media yet about what happened.
‘The workshop, which is part of an ongoing workstream, was highly successful and well received,’ said Deputy Torode.
‘It provides a valuable forum in which to educate participants on constitutional and international issues. I anticipate that this day will have greatly assisted members in making valuable contributions when the full Government Business Plan is debated at the end of July.’
Asserting the island’s independent identity is one of the priorities of the plan.
The workshop was instigated by the Policy Council’s external relations group.
It was also a response to interest from deputies in the issue.
While it has been stressed that no decisions were being made, deputies did discuss a proposition from the group to give it more resources.
Health minister Peter Roffey broke the silence.
‘There’s no drive, no proposal to change our constitutional status at the moment, it’s just a matter of interest to the public and the island,’ said Deputy Roffey.
‘I think there’s a degree of uncertainty among many people about what our constitutional position is, the fact that it is unwritten is likely to give rise to that, and I think members wanted information.’
The media had been expected to be allowed access under Chatham House rules. But they were barred from the seminar.
‘I would not have had a problem if the media had been there,’ said Deputy Roffey.
‘But it’s not a question of making any decision behind closed doors - it was simply to learn more.’
Staff from St James Chambers gave presentations on four scenarios:
n retaining the status quo.
n federating with Jersey.
n independence from the UK
n closer association with Europe.
There was then a question and answer session chaired by Bailiff Geoffrey Rowland before the chief minister chaired an open discussion, followed by the ERG presentation.
According to Deputy Roffey, the chief minister said a statement would be put out about the meeting so members should keep what they said to a minimum.
This was interpreted by many as advice not to say anything at all.
Every government needed to consider its constitution from time to time, said Deputy Roffey.
There was nothing in particular behind the timing of the seminar, he said.
Being tight-lipped had possibly created the frenzy of interest, he said.
He was also unconcerned by the interest being shown by the Daily Telegraph, which had a reporter and photographer in the island to cover the meeting.
Article posted on 21st April, 2007 - 12.00am
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