NEWS that Jersey has been looking into the possibility of independence throws up some interesting questions for Guernsey.
On today’s page one we reveal how a political think tank in the neighbouring isle believes that it would be only a couple of steps away from declaring itself a sovereign state.
In an 83-page report, which has yet to be fully digested by our own leaders, the island’s Constitution Review Group headed by Jersey’s Bailiff, is said to have looked closely at the impact of such a move.
Becoming a self-governing state with complete autonomy – capable of not only making but ratifying its own legislation – would prove a major step. Going it alone could have a momentous bearing on the whole politicial, social and economic well being of the island.
Although largely understood to represent a ‘back up plan’ at the moment, the move is nevertheless a significant one.
The relationship between the Channel Islands and the UK has evolved and developed over 800 long years of island loyalty to the Crown.
Under the current set up Guernsey, like Jersey, is already in an enviable position.
With a distinct independence and voice all of our own, we also enjoy a special relationship with the UK.
Would a move away from that be what people in Guernsey want? After eight centuries there would surely need to be compelling grounds for such wholesale change.
Over the years there have been rumblings of concern about our relationship with the UK. Most recently, due to the Lisbon Treaty, some have sounded caution about holding onto Britain’s coat tails under the threat of the EU gaining more wide-ranging powers.
The fact that Jersey has made such an announcement alone is quite possibly another cause for concern. Guernsey has no similar report being drawn up at this stage.
And while the document is speculative, a huge amount of work has obviously been done.
What is clear is that if any of its suggestions become reality then the implications for Guernsey would be massive.
It seems hard to envisage one Channel Island making such a huge decision without its neighbours following suit.
Article posted on 30th June, 2008 - 2.14pm
Independent thoughts
NEWS that Jersey has been looking into the possibility of independence throws up some interesting questions for Guernsey.
On today’s page one we reveal how a political think tank in the neighbouring isle believes that it would be only a couple of steps away from declaring itself a sovereign state.
In an 83-page report, which has yet to be fully digested by our own leaders, the island’s Constitution Review Group headed by Jersey’s Bailiff, is said to have looked closely at the impact of such a move.
Becoming a self-governing state with complete autonomy – capable of not only making but ratifying its own legislation – would prove a major step. Going it alone could have a momentous bearing on the whole politicial, social and economic well being of the island.
Although largely understood to represent a ‘back up plan’ at the moment, the move is nevertheless a significant one.
The relationship between the Channel Islands and the UK has evolved and developed over 800 long years of island loyalty to the Crown.
Under the current set up Guernsey, like Jersey, is already in an enviable position.
With a distinct independence and voice all of our own, we also enjoy a special relationship with the UK.
Would a move away from that be what people in Guernsey want? After eight centuries there would surely need to be compelling grounds for such wholesale change.
Over the years there have been rumblings of concern about our relationship with the UK. Most recently, due to the Lisbon Treaty, some have sounded caution about holding onto Britain’s coat tails under the threat of the EU gaining more wide-ranging powers.
The fact that Jersey has made such an announcement alone is quite possibly another cause for concern. Guernsey has no similar report being drawn up at this stage.
And while the document is speculative, a huge amount of work has obviously been done.
What is clear is that if any of its suggestions become reality then the implications for Guernsey would be massive.
It seems hard to envisage one Channel Island making such a huge decision without its neighbours following suit.
Article posted on 30th June, 2008 - 2.14pm