Politicians from the Crown Dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man will gather in the parliamentary buildings of Douglas, Isle of Man today for the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Crown Dependencies Network Conference. This is the first time this conference is taking place, providing a unique opportunity for politicians from similarly-sized and administered jurisdictions and Crown Dependencies to share knowledge and best practice and visit the Tynwald Legislative Buildings.
During the conference, politicians will:
- Consider common areas of interest, such as best practice in holding governments to account; modernisation of administrative and legislative processes; and ways and means of increasing voter turnout
- Discuss mutually beneficial ways of working together, for example, by sharing policy ideas
- Network with other politicians and legislature staff to form long-term advantageous relationships
The politicians in attendance from Jersey are Senator Sarah Ferguson (first elected 2002), Deputy Gregory Guida (elected 2018), Deputy David Johnson (first elected 2014), Deputy Hugh Raymond (elected 2018) and Deputy Geoffrey Southern (first elected 2002).
Chair of the Jersey branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, Deputy Carolyn Labey, says, “This opportunity provides our States Members with the chance to learn from other politicians from other similar-sized jurisdictions – at this time of political uncertainty it is particularly important to strengthen our relationships with the Commonwealth and Commonwealth jurisdictions who have a lot to offer one another. It is especially the case with our fellow Crown Dependencies and jurisdictions with similar relationships with the UK and EU.”
The Crown Dependencies are three island territories off the coast of Great Britain that are self-governing possessions of the Crown: the Bailiwick of Jersey, the Bailiwick of Guernsey and the Isle of Man. They do not form part of either the United Kingdom or the British Overseas Territories.
States Assembly News Release.