Council split over constitution move

THE Policy Council has discussed whether the States needs to act to reinforce its constitutional position with the UK and Europe. A letter from Deputy Dave Jones to all States members, and leaked to the Guernsey Press, forced the debate.

Deputy Jones said that the discussions had revealed a split among senior States members.

He believes that the island must act quickly to reconfirm its relationship with the UK or risk being sold out.

'I believe we are living in dangerous times,' he said. 'The UK wishes to further integrate into Europe and the EU simply doesn't tolerate jurisidictions like ours.

'I wanted to generate a debate on the issue. The fact is that our constitutional position has been unclear and still is unclear.'

He said that he feared further European Union intervention would force the island's finance business out and leave the States and the local economy marooned.

'The UK Government is supposed to protect our position, even though it is often in direct conflict with its own.

'They have been actively working with others to force change upon us and I think that's something we simply cannot ignore. We need to address the issue with HMG.'

He understood that there was a fear among senior States members that such a debate could lead to change in the relationship.

'If that's the case, I say, so be it,' he said.

Deputy Jones said that the letter had raised more questions than answers inside the Policy Council.

'That's what it was designed to do, to generate discussion. I think it was very well received.'

He added that he had received a positive reaction to his letter from fellow deputies.

He said that many had asked what the next step should be - Deputy Jones said it was already under way with top level discussions between the Crown Dependencies and the UK Department for Constitutional Affairs.

But he wants a full debate within the States, in camera if necessary.

'I feel that the whole issue of this island's future and the potential threats to our well-being ought to be the subject of a detailed discussion by States members,' he said.

'It would seem that our constitutional position is discussed in every other parliament except ours.'

And he wants the States eventually to take three-pronged action:

* To develop a written bill of rights, enshrining the island's privileges and constitutional freedoms.

* To join forces with the other islands to strengthen their international profile and diversify the economy away from European finance business.

* To reinforce cooperation with the United States.

'The US is no fan of the overregulated EU and we have little to lose by embracing business from many other jurisdictions outside the EU's grasp,' he said.