From Brian Hotton.
HAVING attended the presentation on the constitution of Jersey at the Arts Centre on 18 September, I came away with a feeling of ‘where are they taking us?’.

I am indeed worried. As pointed out by JEP columnist Peter Body, what if independence was forced upon Jersey?
Why should the British government force independence on us? I suppose it could be that the British government see Jersey as a parasite. After all, hardly a day goes by without us reading in the JEP how well the Island is doing, despite what is going on within the financial global market. We are told daily that Jersey will not be affected, and how well Jersey’s financial reserves are – enough for one year if things stay as they are.

What happens if there is a downturn and unemployment rises? Enough for a few months? I only hope our politicians are correct. I say ‘parasite’ because we are now being informed that the UK government may do away with reciprocal medical treatment. If this is the case, those of us who are unlucky enough to need expensive medical treatment in the UK will either have to pay, which for many may well mean selling the family home, or the States will pay the bill. I would not hold my breath.

But that will mean an increase in taxation. To paraphrase Peter Body: ‘Probably the biggest problem will be money. Are our penny-pinching States going to be prepared to create another department with ten full-time staff, including trained diplomats, to look after foreign affairs just on the off-chance that we might want to be independent one day? Then, of course, there’s the further 20 staff to man the overseas missions in London, Brussels and New York.’
Of course all this means more and more taxation, so much so that we may see an exodus of many highly paid essential workers, whether States workers or finance workers, to a more tax-friendly location, such as the UK.

The British government can’t force us to go independent because they cannot legislate for us, only the Crown can through the Privy Council. I say the British government can’t legislate for us because Advocate Lakeman tells us so! Kilbradon (1973) says they can. Who do I believe? Well, Kilbrandon.

Obviously something or someone outside Jersey is forcing legislation upon Jersey, because an outside agency has forced tax changes on the Island – so much for Jersey being able to set its own taxes. Well they can, within certain limits, if agreed to by some outside agency.

Remember, if Jersey does go independent, we will have no redress to the UK government and maybe neither the Privy Council. The way, this Island has been governed in recent years (since salaries were introduced), the quality of our politicians has deteriorated, with few exceptions, as their salaries have risen. Maybe our States Members should freeze their salaries for the next five years. And if a Constitutional Review Group is to continue, please hire someone who knows their history.
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