Guernsey’s relationship with EU will change if UK’s does, says chief minister

Thursday 24th January 2013, 2:00PM GMT.

Prime Minister David Cameron during his speech yesterday when he pledged that there would be a referndum on the UK’s future in Europe in 2018. (Picture by Stefan Roussau, PA)

CHANGES to the UK’s relationship with Europe could have an impact on Guernsey, the chief minister has said.

His comment follows Prime Minister David Cameron’s pledge that the UK will hold a referendum on its future in Europe before 2018.

Deputy Peter Harwood said the UK’s relationship with the EU was a matter for its government and its people.

‘We will watch any developments closely, and where appropriate we will discuss them with the UK Government,’ he said.

Guernsey’s special relationship with the EU was formed in protocol three of the UK’s Treaty of Accession.

The island is not a separate member state or an associate member of the European Union.

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1
Alex Cross

January 24, 2013 at 2:22 pm

Thanks for that Capt. Obvious!

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2
true guern

January 24, 2013 at 2:47 pm

we should get out of the eu and then kick out the finance, good bye to bad rubbish.

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- markB
  
  January 24, 2013 at 3:50 pm
  
  Is Guernsey part of the EU?
  
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- Cousin Vinny
  
  January 24, 2013 at 4:25 pm
  
  Good luck with the fressias and tomatoes…what not having to pay the VAT and all. Oh wait!
  
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3
Dug-a-whole

January 24, 2013 at 3:09 pm

Thanks for pointing out the obvious!

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4
Ed

January 24, 2013 at 5:41 pm

Based on the impact of the organisations that were precursors to the EU, I think it would be a good idea for Britain to remain within this organisation. Joining the European Steel and Coal Committee in the 1950s was an important factor in enabling Britain was able to cement itself a more favourable status on the international stage , revive its political clout and have an at least somewhat competitve industrial economy following the Suez Crisis and after having brought upon itself unacceptably high levels of governed deficit in previous years.

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- Ed
  
  January 24, 2013 at 5:43 pm
  
  We don’t know what issues may arise in the forthcoming years and thus remaining within the EU will enable cooperative diplomatic efforts to be undertaken in order to resolve those matters.
  
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5
victorhulein

January 25, 2013 at 12:32 pm

I cant see what difference it can make.as a guernsey man with only local born grandparents on both sides my passport has a stamped page which states that the holder is excempt from EU provisions and benefits.so that can only mean that the island has the same restrictions.

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