This is why we need an effective Plan B

From Robert Kisch.

‘GORDON Brown, then UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, committed the Channel Islands to the European tax package without proper consultation and without constitutional right to do so. But he did it.’

Sir Philip Bailhache, quoted above, suggested we should, at least, prepare a Plan B for any future move to interfere with our financial independence.

A snapshot of our Strategic Rainy Day Fund exposure to the euro is advised at six per cent.

The UK is a member of the EU but retains the sterling pound. My understanding is that any further bail-outs for the euro-denominated PIGS – Portugal, Ireland, Greece and Spain – will demand support from other members not so indebted.

Currently, of the PIGS, Greece looks to be the first to default. Rather than break up the euro, any further rescue bail-outs (since, by definition, euro countries cannot set their own currency rate) any central euro support will make huge demands on EU members.

Jersey and the other Channel Islands are Crown Dependencies. As such, it would seem there is a danger that the UK may regard these territories as responsible for a part of any UK support demanded by the European Union regardless of whether euro denominated or not. They are, after all, regarded as mere historical relics whose constitutional rights can be ignored in the greater perspective.

This is just the sort of event that Sir Philip had in mind for a Plan B. The last resort, when all else has failed, carries what could involve still greater risk since independence could be countered by simply designating the Channel Islands as part of Hampshire.

Such a plan existed in the 1960s with maps; these have been noted in past issues of MP of that time. This is why we need a competent foreign policy position with international contacts, whether elected or not elected.