‘I’m not losing sleep over Brexit’ says P&R president

‘I’m not losing any sleep over this. It’s not worrying me. I’m very content with the work that has gone on to prepare us for whatever the potential outcomes are,’ said the president of P&R, the island’s most senior politician.

Referring to the UK’s planned exit from the European Union, he added: ‘It may be, after 29 March, we might not have quite so many falafel wraps for a few weeks after. Who knows? I don’t wish to minimise the level of disruption, but these are things that we can and will manage.’

Addressing a special event discussing Brexit organised by the GTA University Centre, Deputy St Pier confirmed that he would be giving a Brexit statement to the States Assembly on 30 January.

‘We will be looking to see what happens over the next few days and how we need to respond and react to that. Clearly, one of the things that will be in it will be talking about a little bit about the contingency planning and offering some reassurance and explanations about what’s been going on in that regard.’

Deputy St Pier highlighted the strong relationships that the island’s government had established within Westminster and the positive focus within the UK civil service on the Crown Dependencies. There was recognition of the islands’ ‘unique constitutional position’ and role within the British family, he said.

UK Justice Secretary David Gauke, who has responsibility for the UK government relationship with the Crown Dependencies, had expressed his personal position in the island’s position.

‘Given his position in cabinet that is a very positive sign for us,’ said the president of P&R.

He added that the island should be proud of the way in which a small group of local public servants had dealt with and managed the complex fall-out from the UK’s decision to leave the EU.

That included detailed technical, legislative and political matters.

‘I think it is hugely impressive when, again, you compare us to the UK, who have literally got armies of people coping with the same sort of issues.

‘So, a public thank you to all those people involved in that.’

Deputy St Pier told the event, held at St Pierre Park Hotel, that a ‘seven figure-sum’ in additional resources had been required in relation to Brexit.

However, he stressed the reality was that the island just had to ‘get on with it’ and be prepared for any outcome.

‘There are some things that will need to be done before 29 March and there will be a lot of legislation that will need to be cleared up after the event.

‘Obviously, we’ve put in the building blocks to enable us to do that.’

Examples of this included a ‘deep process’ to ensure membership of the World Trade Organisation was extended to Guernsey, as well as fisheries, said Deputy St Pier. While Brexit had been a distraction, he also said that the government had not lost focus on issues that remained vital to the island’s future such as connectivity and a flexible, responsive population management regime.