EARLIER this week, The Times reported that the Conservative Shadow Chancellor was planning to locate one of his key Treasury team in Brussels if the Tories win the general election next year.

Coincidentally, George Osborne is one of the few leading Opposition figures that Guernsey’s chief minister hasn’t yet met, although Frossard House is working hard to try to arrange that, too.

This follows the success the chief minister has had – culminating in discussions this week with William Hague, the former Conservative Party leader – and other members of what some are already predicting will be the next Government.

And what The Times reports on Mr Osborne’s plans for his man in Brussels actually mirrors the work the Policy Council is doing here for Guernsey to have its own direct representation in the administrative centre of the European Union.

Although the scales of what Guernsey and the UK have in mind differ by a factor of about 1,000 (based on the respective populations), the importance is equivalent to both.

What the Tories and the Policy Council External Relations Group are focusing on is that some of the biggest threats to the health and longevity of their vital financial services sectors are posed by the tidal wave of onerous regulations – some politically inspired – pouring out of the Belgian capital.

Interestingly, one of the City of London’s concerns is about who is fighting its corner over threats posed by tax disclosure and restrictions on investment funds and George Osborne’s strategy is aimed at trying to head off such risks at source.

It is a vivid illustration of the value of Guernsey’s moves to establish its own office in Brussels and it is a vindication of the island’s strategy of having the chief minister engage with key figures externally.

While face-to-face contact is vital if Guernsey is to promote its position on key matters, it is by no means universally popular. Lyndon Longhaul, GlobeTrotter and Super Trott have all been aimed at the chief minister, which is unhelpful since even his critics say he carries out the role exceptionally well.

Which is one reason why Guernsey is increasingly being seen as centre stage when it comes to the Crown Dependencies.