Thursday 14 February 2019
Channel Islands representatives have met UK parliamentarians at the Channel Islands All Party Parliamentary Group (CIAPPG) meeting to update them on current domestic priorities and to discuss the implications of Brexit for the Channel Islands.
Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq, member of the Policy & Resources Committee with responsibility for external relations, represented Guernsey on Monday at the CIAPPG meeting in the Houses of Parliament. That meeting was also attended by Senator John Le Fondré representing the Government of Jersey, as well as representatives of the States of Alderney and Chief Pleas of Sark.
The purpose of the CIAPPG is to promote a better understanding of the issues facing the Channel Islands and develop relations between the UK Government and the Channel Islands. The Group is co-chaired by Andrew Rosindell MP and Dr Alan Whitehead MP.
Deputy Le Tocq said:
'I was pleased to attend the CIAPPG's first meeting of 2019 to update the Group on a number of recent developments including our recent referendum and decision to implement an Island Wide Voting system, but the main focus naturally continues to be the impact of Brexit and the Channel Islands' response to it. I spoke about the recent decisions in the Bailiwick to extend our territorial seas. The CIAPPG had fishing on the agenda this time and I appreciated the opportunity to speak with the Minister of State for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (George Eustice MP) and with the Chair of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee (Neil Parish MP). CIAPPG meetings are an important part of Guernsey's targeted engagement with UK parliamentarians and it was encouraging to see a large number of members of both Houses present and engaged in our discussions.'
