INDEPENDENCE is well within Jersey’s grasp, a top-level government advisory group chaired by the Bailiff has concluded.
In a document that goes further towards setting out a blueprint for independence than anything yet published, the Constitution Review Group found that there were no insurmountable reasons why the Island could not become totally self-governing.
The group, which includes Sir Philip Bailhache, Attorney General William Bailhache, States chief executive Bill Ogley, States international finance director Martin de Forest-Brown and States international affairs adviser Colin Powell, has been considering the issue since 2005.
Mr Ogley said that the 83-page report amounted to an insurance policy should it ever become necessary to break away from the UK to safeguard Island interests, particularly its finance industry. He stressed that its purpose was not to look at the advantages and disadvantages of independence, but rather simply to analyse what the impact might be on various areas of Island affairs.
These areas include defence and security, international relations, internal constitutional matters, the economy, communications, travel rights, health, education and the prison. It would also mean reviewing relationships with other international bodies, including the European Union, United Nations, International Monetary Fund, the Commonwealth, World Trade Organisation and Unesco. It is also suggested that closer links with Brussels might be necessary.
*A full analysis of the group’s report will be published in the JEP on Monday.
