October 6, 2021
Jersey Ministers and officials represented the Island at the 2021 UK Party Conferences, working to build and maintain connections and relationships to ensure that Jersey’s interests are heard and addressed at Westminster.
At the Conservative Party Conference, which took place from 3 to 6 October 2021 in Manchester, Chief Minister Senator John Le Fondré and Minister for External Relations Senator Ian Gorst undertook a wide range of engagements with UK Ministers, other UK Parliamentarians, and international diplomatic representatives. That included brief meetings with the Prime Minister, Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP; the new Lord Chancellor, Rt Hon Dominic Raab MP (alongside Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq, States of Guernsey); and the Minister of State for the Cabinet Office, Rt Hon Lord Frost. Ministers also met the EU Ambassador to UK, João Vale de Almeida; the French Ambassador to UK, Catherine Colonna; the Irish Ambassador to UK, Adrian O’Neill; and many other diplomatic representatives. This Ministerial engagement was supplemented by several meetings undertaken at official level by members of the Jersey London Office.
Officials from the Jersey London Office also attended the Liberal Democrat Party Conference, held virtually from 17 to 20 September 2021; the Labour Party Conference, held from 25 to 29 September 2021 in Brighton; and will attend the Scottish National Party Conference, to be held virtually from 26 to 29 November 2021.
Although Jersey is not of course represented at Westminster, engagement across the UK political spectrum – including at a range of Party Conferences – helps to ensure that the Island’s interests are understood by UK politicians. Attendance at Party Conferences, which also provides valuable insights into the latest UK political developments, is complemented by the programme of regular Ministerial and official-level engagement organised throughout the year by the Government of Jersey London Office.
