MINISTERS embroiled in an ongoing public row over inter-island ferry services have been urged by Jersey and Guernsey’s Chief Ministers to resolve their differences in private.
Speaking at a Chamber of Commerce event in St Helier focused on collaboration between the Bailiwicks, the two Chief Ministers stopped short of a public dressing-down for their respective Economic Development Ministers, but admitted they were disappointed at how events had played out.
While Deputy Kirsten Morel of Jersey queried Guernsey’s failure to engage with an approach by a potential new entrant aspiring to set up an inter-island service, his counterpart Deputy Neil Inder released a statement through his government’s communications department saying he was “incredulous” and criticising Deputy Morel for “attempting to deflect attention through the media”.
Asked about the issue during a Q&A session at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Sarnian Chief Minister Lyndon Trott said: “I am a little bit more embarrassed – early in my career I was told that there is very little in business or in politics that can’t be sorted out over a cup of tea, but also that there is very little that you will solve on the front page of the local newspapers.
“A lot of the work that we do where there is robust conversation takes place in private, as it would do in businesses.
“I expect that the two of them will have been close friends beforehand, and will be again, but I would prefer it if we attended to any dirty washing in private rather than in public.”
Deputy Lyndon Farnham, Jersey’s Chief Minister, was more sanguine.
“Welcome to the world of politics – I’m not embarrassed,” he said.
“I’m disappointed that it finds its way to the front page of the paper, but I will also point out that both Neil and Kirsten have worked extremely well together on certain areas.”
Both men highlighted multiple areas in which they considered the neighbouring jurisdictions worked well together, addressing issues such as the response to Brexit, beneficial ownership and the changing legislative impact affecting the financial services sectors in both islands.
Deputy Farnham paid tribute to Deputy Trott, who will step down from politics at the end of June in the wake of Guernsey’s forthcoming general election, saying:
“There are a lot more opportunities for us to work together to further build upon the collaboration we currently enjoy.
“It’s starting to gain momentum, and I agree with Lyndon – we’re in a better place now.”
Deputy Trott added: “Jersey’s has created a safe, stable and secure environment from which to do international business, and Guernsey has that too.
“My message to business leaders is that Jersey and Guernsey must do all they can to protect and promote that position, and the most effective way to do that will be to continue to work together.”
