THE penultimate day of the Labour Party conference was an eventful one for Islanders: the Chief Minister met Sir Keir Starmer and an 18-year-old Jersey student heckled the Prime Minister for his stance on supplying weapons to Israel.
Daniel Riley, a former Victoria College student who is also chair of Reform Youth, told Sky News that his interruption of the Labour Party leader’s speech in Liverpool on Tuesday was unplanned.
The PM’s “hypocrisy” at sending “British bombs and British bullets that are being used in Gaza and Lebanon” while speaking about his wish for a ceasefire, Mr Riley told reporters, had compelled him to stand up and shout about the “children of Gaza” – before he was bundled out by security.
“He just wants things to stop but he won’t lift a finger to stop them,” Mr Riley told reporters afterwards, and he called for the complete suspension of arms sales to Israel.
His actions come days after Jersey’s External Relations Minister, Deputy Ian Gorst, said an escalation in UK sanctions toward Israel would “automatically” take effect in the Island, including the potential suspension of more arms export licences to Israel.
The Labour Conference, which ended yesterday after four days of speeches and events, was Sir Keir’s first in power. In Tuesday’s keynote speech, he outlined his ideas for “national renewal” and his vision for government.
Deputy Lyndon Farnham was in attendance to promote Jersey’s interests and strengthen ties with the UK, according to a government statement. He was accompanied by Deputy Gorst.
At the conference, Deputy Farnham also met the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, as well as the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Jonathan Reynolds.
The main subject of discussions was the promotion of economic growth and co-operation between Jersey and the UK, the Island’s government said in their statement.
Ministers also met senior European ambassadors to the UK, including those from France, Germany and Switzerland, to further develop the Island’s diplomatic relations.
