AS THE UK’s new Cabinet emerged yesterday – and with it the changing face of British politics – one thing was clear: Guernsey should be in remarkably good shape to deal with those in power.

The reason is the charm offensive the Policy Council embarked upon more than two years ago to meet today’s movers and shakers while they were still in opposition.

It was a good strategy. With nothing on the agenda other than a desire to meet and to answer any questions Conservative and Lib Dem politicians might have had, Guernsey was able to gain audience.

Now, with the key figures slotting into place, it is clear that the island’s team, led by the chief minister, have already made face-to-face contact with some of the most important UK ministers.

That includes Ken Clarke, the new Justice Secretary and head of the department responsible for these Crown Dependencies, and Vince Cable, the Business Secretary, plus many others.

The earlier meeting with Mr Cable was particularly useful because there was an opportunity to explain to him that Guernsey has no banking secrecy laws and is more open and transparent than the City of London – and for local officials to be questioned on those claims and back them up.

Since then, Mr Cable has been much less strident about British tax havens, in contrast to his remarks just two years ago that UK banks receiving taxpayers’ money should be forced to close their offshore subsidiaries.

Asked by the Guernsey Press yesterday what the cost of the charm offensive had been, the Policy Council estimated not more than £75,000 including all flights, accommodation, any entertainment and the cost of external advisers.

In view of the contacts made, that seems good value, and has certainly put this island ahead of the game as far as Jersey and the Isle of Man is concerned.

The policy drew criticism from certain quarters, but it can now be seen to have worked and the Policy Council is to be congratulated for having the vision to take the opportunity – and stick with its plan.