22ANDUK

When British politicians look for ideas or inspiration from abroad, they often stretch their sights across the Atlantic to North America, and often across the English Channel to Europe. but are we in danger of missing out on what's right next to us, and missing out on adopting ideas from the Channel Islands?

Politics:
The Channel Islands have a well-rooted and entrenched history of democracy. At national level Jersey is governed by the States of Jersey made up of 53 elected members: 12 senators (elected for 6-years); 12 constables (elected for 3-year terms); and 29 deputies (elected for 3-year terms). Democracy is even further devolved at local level via twelve administrative districts known as parishes. The parishes of Jersey are further divided into vingtaines.

The States of Guernsey, officially called the States of Deliberation, consists of 45 People's Deputies, elected from multi-or single-member districts every four years. There are also two representatives from Alderney. There are also two non-voting members - the Attorney General and the Solicitor General both appointed by the Crown

Democracy:
In Guernsey, even the civil 'Admininistration' is elected. Each parish is administered by a Douzaine who are elected for a six year mandate, whilst two elected Constables carry out the decisions of the Douzaine, serving for between one and three years. The judiciary is also elected formed by directly-elected senators, and in Guernsey by indirectly-elected conseillers.

Economy:
Economically speaking, Jersey's and Guerney's specialisation in a few high return sectors, at purchasing power parity Jersey has very high economic output per capita, substantially ahead of all of the world's large developed economies. Jersey's GDP per capita for 2005 was US$57,000, which was beaten only by two other small states with similar economic characteristics, Bermuda and Luxembourg.

Tax:
As VAT has not been levied on the Islands, luxury goods have often been cheaper than in the UK or in France, providing an incentive for tourism from neighbouring countries. The absence of VAT has also led to the growth of the fulfilment industry, whereby low-value luxury items, such as videos, lingerie and contact lenses are exported to the UK, avoiding VAT on arrival and thus undercutting UK prices on the same products. In 2005, the States of Jersey announced limits on licences granted to non-resident companies trading in this way.

Immigration:
Immigration to the Islands is controlled by a mixture of restrictions on those without residential status purchasing or renting property in the Island and restrictions on employment. Migration policy is to move to a registration system to integrate residential and employment status. Jersey maintains its own immigration and border controls. Although Jersey citizens are full British citizens, an endorsement restricting the right of establishment in European Union states other than the UK is placed in the Jersey/Guernsey passport of British citizens connected solely with the Channel Islands and Isle of Man.

Relationship with the European Union:
As for the EU the Islands are not recognised as being members. The islands are not part of the European Union, but are part of the Customs Territory of the European Community. Whilst the Islanders are full British citizens, but not all are European citizens. Any British citizen who applies for a passport in Jersey or Guernsey receives a passport bearing the words 'British Islands' instead of 'European Union' (Creepily though, the 'Federal Court of Justice of Germany' ruled in 2002, that under German law, for the purposes of the German Civil Procedures Act, Jersey is to be deemed to be part of the United Kingdom and of the European Union as well.).

A well elected and fully accountable national government is something Britain itself should strive for, whilst democracy is devolved down to the lowest possible level with Parish authorities holding a fair amount of influence. A well organised and restricted immigration controls as well as a flexible, libertarian economy that encourages free marketism and investment is also a bonus. Most of all, the refusal to be absorbed into the EU suggests a desire to remain independent, sovereign and free.

Can we learn a lot from the Channel Islands? What's your opinion?

Britannist

An interesting posting from you, 22ANDUK.

We should be outside the EU - just as the Channel Islands are.

Aardvark

I'll reserve judgement until the investigation into the child abuse is complete. There are allegations that the cover up goes to the States of Jersey.

__________________
When in Woking do as the Wokes do.

"I do not wish to form my opinions by thoughtlessly quoting others; I wish others to support their opinions by sensibly quoting me." Paul Wesson (Aardvark) 13th April 2008