On 2 November, the chief minister of Jersey, senator Ian Gorst, chief minister of Guernsey deputy Gavin St Pier and the recently elected chief minister of the Isle of Man, Howard Quayle, all met with Robin Walker MP, parliamentary under-secretary of state at the Department for Exiting the European Union.
This was the first of the formal quarterly meetings between the crown dependencies and Walker, who has responsibility for ensuring that their interests are understood and taken into account as the UK prepares to leave the European Union.
Gorst said: “This meeting was a good opportunity to build on the important joint work that has been taking place at official level between the crown dependencies and the United Kingdom since the Brexit vote.
“The granting of specific responsibility to Minister Walker within his department for liaising with the Crown Dependencies is a very welcome step and I look forward to working with him to ensure that the CDs’ voices are heard at all levels of Government in the months and years ahead.”
Working closely together
Gavin St Pier said: “During our first quarterly meeting with the new UK Department for Exiting the EU, it was reassuring to find that we have benefitted from the preparation we have undertaken before and after the EU referendum.
Quayle said: “I very much welcomed this first opportunity to meet formally with minister Walker and reiterate the importance the Isle of Man and our fellow crown dependencies place on continuing communication and cooperation between our governments through the process of preparing for Brexit.
“As our existing relationship with the EU through Protocol 3 will cease once the UK formally withdraws from the EU, we have a direct interest in the terms of the UK’s withdrawal and the negotiation of a future relationship.”
Walker said: “As we approach our negotiations with the European Union we will go on working closely with our friends in the crown dependencies, helping to ensure that we get a deal that works for everyone.
“Our meeting was an important and productive step in our continued discussions, allowing us to understand the challenges and opportunities that will arise for Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man.”
