Facing his first public Scrutiny meeting in his new role, Senator Ian Gorst said that independence should only be considered as a ‘backstop’, a last resort position for the Island.
And he believes Jersey can deal with the international challenges it faces while maintaining its long-standing constitutional relationship with the UK.
His predecessor in the role, Sir Philip Bailhache, said last month that he believed independence might be the ‘only option’ if the UK failed to secure a good deal on Brexit for the Island.
Jersey also faces challenges on the international stage directly from the EU, whose Code of Conduct Group on business taxation have asked the Island to address the matter of economic substance [whether firms registered here are carrying out real business activity] or face black-listing as ‘non co-operative’ tax jurisdiction.
But during yesterday’s hearing of the Corporate Services Scrutiny Panel, Senator Gorst said that Jersey will always have to deal with its larger neighbours and independence would not change that fact.
‘It can seem as if the answer to these relationship problems is to just go it alone. Going it alone is the “I-word” [independence],’ he said.
‘But we are in a multi-connected, global world and it is difficult to make the case for where the advantages would be in that.
‘Some of the arguments are not dissimilar to those being made in Scotland. We have a strong economy but a lot of our institutions have strong relationships with the City [of London] and have parents in the City.’
He added that independence would also bring about a ‘whole host of costs’ and other issues, such as Jersey having to implement its own foreign affairs policy as it would no longer be protected by the UK’s military.
‘For my part I think that our 800-year relationship with the British Crown has secured us phenomenal success in the face of difficulties that other places have not had to overcome,’ he said.
‘You don’t just become independent and get it all your own way. It’s a little like a child leaving home. You get new independence but you no longer have your meals prepared for you or a roof over your head.
‘We really have to be careful what we wish for.’
Senator Gorst said that independence should be considered as an absolute ‘backstop position’ but any disagreements and disputes with the UK and EU can be overcome under the present arrangements.
‘I see no reason why we can’t negotiate through these issues with the current relationship we have with the Crown,’ he said.
‘It’s not always an easy relationship because our interests are not always aligned. Sometimes we have to disagree or challenge each other.’
Vice-chairman of Corporate Services Deputy Steve Ahier and panel members Deputy Jess Perchard and Constable Richard Vibert were sitting.
