UK ‘has good understanding’ of island’s Brexit position

In a speech well received among the party, Prime Minister Theresa May declared that Britain’s decade of austerity was over, but Brexit remained the focus for many and it was noticeable that she failed to mention the word ‘Chequers’ when talking about her plan.

‘The theme of this year’s conference was “opportunity”, however, the first topic of conversation, with everyone I met, was Brexit,’ said Deputy Trott.

‘While we heard a range of views on what might be the outcome of the negotiations, there was a clear consensus that the UK will be leaving on the 29 March 2019, with no appetite for a second referendum.

‘Everyone we met was eager to know how our interests, as Crown Dependencies, were being represented and wanted to ensure that we were getting the contact needed to prepare for the changes that will take place next year, whatever the outcome of negotiations over the next few months.’

Deputy Trott held meetings with Robin Walker MP and Chris Heaton-Harris MP, the ministers at the Department for Exiting the EU responsible for managing the relationship the Crown Dependencies and contingency planning, respectively.

In a series of joint meetings alongside a Jersey delegation, Deputy Trott met MEPs Ashley Fox, Daniel Dalton and Jacqueline Foster. These discussions were focused on the Channel Islands’ future relationship with the EU, as well as the work the islands are undertaking with the EU Commission on taxation.

In addition, the delegation attended meetings with Liam Fox, Secretary of State for International Trade; Dominic Raab, Secretary of State for Exiting the EU; Jeremy Hunt, the Foreign Secretary; and Jacob Rees-Mogg, chairman of the European Research Group.

‘The conference this year has taken place at a pivotal moment for the UK-EU negotiations and provided an opportunity for us to get advice from ministers, back benchers and representatives of business,’ said Deputy Trott.

‘While there was an air of excitement among the media present and party members around the speech by Boris Johnson, the atmosphere was stoical around the Chequers proposal.

‘It is clearly seen by many as a negotiating position with the government waiting for Brussels to respond.

‘It was clear from all the advice we received that Guernsey is well placed to react to the next stage in the process, with high levels of UK parliamentary interest and the UK government maintaining a good understanding of our objectives.’

Meetings were also held with MPs Bob Neill, chairman of the Justice Select Committee; George Eustice, Minister of State for Defra; and Craig Tracey, chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Insurance and Financial Services; as well as the Rt Hon Lord Hunt of Wirral, Rt Hon Dame Cheryl Gillan and Rt Hon Theresa Villiers, who all have a particular interest in constitutional affairs.