Working more closely with Guernsey

James Qualtrough | January 15, 2013 | 0 Comments

The Chief Minister delivered a speech last Wednesday explaining the good progress being made in mutual co-operation between the Islands and his present view and vision that we should embrace a more united Channel Islands. He intended to start a healthy public debate.

In so doing he made reference to such future possibilities as a Channel Island Police Force or a Channel Island Customs and Immigration Department / Border Agency. In his speech the Chief Minister recognized that both of these would not be practical without some form of political union.

I agree with the Chief Minister that, wherever possible, we should work closely together with our colleagues in Guernsey in order to increase even further the effectiveness and efficiency of our law enforcement and other agencies.

I also agree with him that any moves towards such joint police forces or border agencies would first require some form of political union (in my view substantial political union) and that there is first a need for the healthy political debate on this which he has envisaged.