Visit from our UK rep helps clear the air
A BUOYANT air surrounds the Policy Council at the moment following the visit of Lord Bach – the latest person charged by the UK Government with political responsibility for the Crown Dependencies.
A BUOYANT air surrounds the Policy Council at the moment following the visit of Lord Bach – the latest person charged by the UK Government with political responsibility for the Crown Dependencies.
The island can take comfort from what was said publicly and behind the scenes as issues from the review of offshore financial centres to ongoing reforms here were chewed over.
Indeed, Chief Minister Lyndon Trott had a bounce in his step by the end of it all.
It all comes at a time when Guernsey's position and standing in the world is evolving. Where that could take us forms the background to an interim report that is nearing completion by the constitution advisory panel.
Jersey has already published interim findings about what could be done if it was forced to break from the UK. It is now going on to address the situation if it actually wanted independence.
Deputy Trott described Lord Bach's visit as a 'total success on many levels'.
'It came at the end of a very intensive period of actions for the governments of Guernsey and the UK in terms of our relationship, the signing of the international identity framework agreements, the tax information exchange agreement and engaging with them over the Foot review into the Crown Dependencies and offshore territories financial services industry,' he said.
The visit was a chance to continue that engagement.
'To dot the Is and cross the Ts with him here and continue with the message and the process of explaining how transparent and co-operative, and modern and cutting-edge we are.
'Lord Bach certainly accepted all the arguments and then used them in his interviews and discussions.'
Deputy Trott also took comfort from some comments made by Bailiff Geoffrey Rowland.
'He confirmed how supportive he was of the political process developing the way it is and engaging in the positive, mature and appropriate way in which we are.'
Will there be a sting in the tail to all these positive soundings?
International pressure is set to grow on the Crown Dependencies and by implication the UK, so now is no time for complacency.
At least the signs of preparedness are there.
The constitution advisory panel has been working quietly behind the scenes after being formed by the Policy Council's External Relations Group in 2007.
The panel, chaired by HM Procureur Nik van Leuven, is expected to present its interim report to the ERG shortly.
As part of its work it is, according to the Government Business Plan, 'exploring various options for constitutional cooperation that might underpin the Bailiwick's and the Channel Islands' approach to their external affairs over the next 25 years.'
Read into that what you will, but with Jersey suggesting discussions with Guernsey on the constitution and options for the future, and a planned meeting of parliamentarians from throughout the Bailiwick, at least a period of enhanced co-operation may have dawned.
A Channel Islands Federation anyone?
It is one of the more extreme options touted by some.
There is no standing still for Deputy Trott.
Next week he heads off to Cardiff for a British Irish Council meeting where it is believed the global economic crisis will form a major part of discussions.
It is another chance to engage with all the jurisdictions in Britain and is seen as a key part of getting Guernsey's message heard.
