March 10, 2021
On 5th March 2021, Jersey’s Minister for External Relations, Senator Ian Gorst, met with the Rt. Hon Baroness Northover, Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs. The meeting provided for a valuable discussion as part of the Government of Jersey’s wider programme of engagement with UK parliamentarians across the political spectrum, including those within the Liberal Democrats.
The meeting opened with a discussion on the UK’s and Jersey’s responses to the Covid-19 pandemic, and Senator Gorst and Baroness Northover welcomed the falling rates of Covid-19 across both jurisdictions. Baroness Northover praised the Channel Islands’ effective response to the pandemic, expressing particular interest in Jersey’s approach to travel supported by an efficient track and trace system. On recovery efforts, Senator Gorst highlighted Jersey’s increasing focus on the gradual reopening of society, in addition to the Island’s positive progress on the rollout of its vaccination programme, with over 30,000 doses administered.
The meeting also covered other areas of mutual interest, including Jersey’s participation in the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) and the UK’s other trade agreements. Senator Gorst underlined the importance of the UK Government taking into account the full ambit of Jersey’s interests with respect to these negotiations, in accordance with the UK’s constitutional responsibilities. In addition, Senator Gorst provided an update on Jersey’s work in relation to climate and sustainability, noting the Island’s ambitious 2030 carbon neutral agenda and the imminent launch of a Citizens Assembly aiming to put forward recommendations on how Jersey can become more environmentally friendly.
The Government of Jersey will continue to work closely with Baroness Northover, alongside other UK parliamentarians in Government and in Opposition, to ensure an awareness of the Island’s ongoing work is maintained and that its interests continue to be addressed in Westminster.
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