JERSEY should work harder to enhance its independent identity, according to the States’ former European law and policy adviser.

Alastair Sutton has written an article on ‘Jersey’s changing constitutional relationship with Europe’ for the most recent edition of the Jersey Law Review.

He says that recent successful negotiations on personal and business taxation with the European Union (EU) and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) should be followed up with efforts to secure international awareness of Jersey’s self-governing status in tax, financial services and law enforcement.

Jersey, he argues, must be able to stand on its own two feet, given its reliance on a financial services industry that competes in a global marketplace.

Mr Sutton says the centuries-old links with the UK must be maintained, but he also calls on the Island authorities to advance and enhance Jersey’s independent identity.