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States, with responsibilities that include Jersey's international relations, constitutional issues (including relations with the United Kingdom Government) and the legislative programme. The impact of these significant


changes in the system of government is exemplified by the way that Jersey has been able to respond more effectively to external pressures and to develop the island's international identity.


In the international arena To appreciate Jersey's external relations, it is important to understand Jersey's constitutional relationship with the United Kingdom. For historical reasons, Jersey is a dependency of the British Crown, rather than the government of the United Kingdom. Jersey has never been part of the United Kingdom and the British Parliament has no democratic accountability for the island. Jersey therefore enjoys full domestic autonomy and maintains its own separate parliamentary Assembly, laws and courts. Laws adopted by the States are subject to Royal Assent in the Privy Council, and United Kingdom legislation only extends to Jersey by Order-in-Council if agreed by the States. By constitutional


convention, the United Kingdom has responsibility for Jersey's defence and international representation. Nevertheless, the island has decided to make a voluntary contribution to U.K. defence, in the form of a serving Territorial Army Unit - the Royal Militia, Island of Jersey (Royal Engineers) - staffed by Jersey men and women and funded by Jersey at a cost of over £1 million annually. As the sovereign state, the United


international relations represents a significant development, enshrined in the new States of Jersey Law. The preamble to this law, which received Royal Assent in 2005, begins:


Whereas it is recognized that Jersey has autonomous capacity in domestic affairs; And whereas it is further recognized that there is an increasing need for Jersey to


accordance with the common policy agreed by the Council of Ministers".


Working with, but separately from, the U.K. One of the ways that this duty has been given effect has been to agree a new framework with the United Kingdom for the development of Jersey's international identity. A key document, signed on 1 May 2007 by the Chief Minister and the U.K. Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs, clarifies the constitutional relationship as follows:


l The U.K. will not act internationally on behalf of Jersey without prior


consultation. l The U.K. recognizes that the interests of Jersey may differ from those of the U.K., and the U.K. will seek to represent any differing interests when acting in an international capacity. This is particularly evident in respect of the relationship with the European Union where the U.K. interests can be expected to be those of an EU member state and the interests of Jersey can be expected to reflect the fact that U.K. membership of the EU only extends to Jersey in certain circumstances as set out in Protocol 3 of the U.K. Treaty of


Accession. l Jersey has an international identity which is different from


The States Building, the home of the States of Jersey.


Kingdom ordinarily has responsibility internationally for the conduct of international treaties and conventions that have been extended to Jersey at the island's request. However, the Chief Minister's responsibility for Jersey's


participate in matters of international affairs; And whereas Jersey wishes to enhance and promote democratic, accountable and responsive governance in the island and implement fair, effective and efficient policies, in accordance with the international principles of human rights….


Accordingly, the Chief Minister is now charged in the law with the duty of "conducting external relations in


that of the U.K. l The U.K. recognizes that Jersey is a long-standing, small democracy and supports the principle of Jersey further developing its international


identity.


The document then sets out the commitments of the U.K. and Jersey governments to dialogue and to support each other in their international relations and in developing Jersey's international identity.


The finance industry The relevance of the international identity and recognition of the separate interests of Jersey and the U.K. have been


The Parliamentarian 2008/Issue One - Jersey 5


Jersey in the 21st Century


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