February 12, 2021
On 8 February 2021 Chief Minister John Le Fondré addressed the latest virtual AGM meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Channel Islands Group (APPCIG). The meeting was chaired by Andrew Rosindell MP and well-attended by Members from the House of Commons and the House of Lords, as well as representatives from the Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey. The APPCIG aims to strengthen the relationship between UK Parliamentarians and the Channel Islands and to promote a better understanding throughout Westminster of the issues facing the jurisdictions.
The APPCIG AGM began with an election of existing committee members, in addition to new members into Vice Chair positions. Newly elected members include Baroness Northover (LD), Lord Flight (Con), Fleur Anderson MP (Lab) and Mark Menzies MP (Con).
The meeting discussion focussed on the Channel Islands’ respective responses to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Chief Minister noted Jersey’s positive progress in maintaining a low number of active cases and outlined public health interventions which had been put in place to stem the transmission of Covid-19 over the winter period, including a hospitality ‘circuit-breaker’ closure, and the impact that this had on allowing for the gradual reconnection of the economy.
The Chief Minister also provided an update on other key developments, including Jersey’s participation in the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement and Jersey’s interests and planned participation in the UK’s Free Trade Agreements with other countries. Reflecting on the increasing inclusion of Permissive Extent Clauses (PECs) in UK legislation, representatives from Jersey and Guernsey expressed disappointment and underlined the importance of undertaking consultation and securing prior consent from the Crown Dependencies before the implementation of such clauses.
The Chief Minister also touched on domestic matters, including the recent decision by the UK Government on home fee status for Crown Dependency students at English Universities from the 2021/2022 academic year. The Chief Minister praised the positive collaboration with the Department for Education and thanked APPG members for their support on the matter.
Focusing on the year ahead, the Chair concluded the meeting with a brief discussion on the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee next year and expressed hope for an eventual return to face-to-face meetings.
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