This Is Guernsey

By Simon Tostevin

FEARS over how the Lisbon Treaty could impact on Guernsey have been played down by the Policy Council. Jersey chief minister Frank Walker has also taken similar steps in his island after fears that the island’s independence would be taken away after the UK had signed up to the Lisbon Treaty.

The concerns were raised at a recent conference between Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man politicians and representatives from the UK Independence Party.

A Policy Council spokesman said it was important to understand that the treaty did not directly affect the existing Protocol 3 relationship between the Crown Dependencies and the EU.

‘The text of this protocol will remain protected, apart from minor changes, for example replacing the words European Community with European Union.

‘As with the original EU Treaty, any amendment to the text of this protocol would have to be agreed unanimously by all 27 Member States. The Lisbon Treaty does not change this position.

‘Additionally, and importantly, under Guernsey’s constitutional arrangements with the UK, any change to Protocol 3 would need to be subject to prior consultation with, and the consent of, the Crown Dependencies.’

Housing minister Dave Jones, who was at the recent conference, said he doubted how strong Protocol 3 was under the new Lisbon agreement, which looks to take away majority voting.

He said the shift from votes of unanimity meant that the EU would now have power by majority voting to change any treaties or amend them by agreement of a majority of member states.

Deputy Jones doubts how much protection the UK government would offer in protecting the islands’ independence.

Commenting on the Editors’ blog at www.thisisguernsey.com, he said: ‘The UK is no longer in charge of its own destiny and I have absolutely no faith at all that the present British Government will not, if demanded, sacrifice these islands for the greater good of the European Union.’