Island is vital member of British family

It was the fifth such gathering and everyone was keen to point out the commitment to a deal that works for the UK and its ‘extended British family’.

There were no details of what was discussed, what problems have arisen and what solutions are being considered. At this stage of the EU-UK negotiation everyone is keeping their cards close to their chest.

The statement did go so far as to welcome the European Commission’s draft UK and Northern Ireland withdrawal agreement and its specific reference to the Channel Islands.

The agreement states that ‘unless otherwise provided’ any reference to the UK shall be understood to encompass the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, Gibraltar and bases in Cyprus.

Given how well the negotiations are going and the hostile attitude of EU negotiators to any proposal government ministers make, the benefits of being lumped in with the UK are not always obvious.

But, like it or not, the Channel Islands are inextricably bound to the UK, regardless of how difficult the Brexit process becomes. The islands need the UK to get the best deal for itself and for us – if the EU will play ball.

To that end, the chief ministers of Guernsey and Jersey will keep reminding the Brexit minister just how important they are as a facilitator of trade.

Tens of thousands of UK jobs depend on what Guernsey does and billions of pounds of capital and inward investment is routed into the City via this island. Island funds also invest billions into UK infrastructure, building schools, hospitals and airports.

The Guernsey funds industry alone acts as a conduit for £51.4bn of inward investment into Europe from global investors.

Nobody on either side of the negotiating table in Brussels should be allowed to forget that the Crown Dependencies are a part of the British family – and a very valuable part at that – and have a vital role to play in the new Europe.