Fleur Anderson MP hosting the visiting Jersey delegation in the London Constituency of Putney

In May 2023, ten Members of the States Assembly of Jersey, all elected or re-elected in 2022, visited the UK Parliament for a three-day programme covering important themes including committee work, contributing in the Chamber, and Members’ role in their constituencies.  

Over the course of a busy programme of engagements, meetings and discussions, the delegation met UK MPs and Peers, and discussed themes including balancing responsibilities, making an impact as a parliamentarian, and giving effective contributions in the Chamber. In the Chamber, the Jersey delegation were reminded that Members appreciate “short questions and brief speeches,” and “brevity never offends.” The discussions between peers also reminded both the UK and Jersey Members that parliamentarians cannot do everything, and the importance of choosing one’s priorities, looking for opportunities and being persistent. 

Jersey and UK Members discuss balancing the roles and responsibilities of a parliamentarian

The delegation ended the programme by leaving Westminster to meet a UK MP in their constituency in southwest London. Despite the differences in scales of constituencies (an average UK constituency includes just under 72,000 people whilst 49 elected Members share an overall population of 103,000 in Jersey), the delegates found many similarities with their UK counterparts, including the responsibilities of casework, local campaigns, and community leadership that Members hold in their respective jurisdictions. Being a States Assembly Member in a comparatively small community like Jersey includes the added dynamic that Members are particularly visible and well-known figures in their local area. 

Jersey, or the Bailiwick of Jersey, is not part of the UK. It is one of the Channel Islands, a self-governing Crown Dependency with King Charles III as Head of State, represented on the island by the Lieutenant Governor. Much like the UK, however, Jersey is a parliamentary democracy, with an elected States Assembly and a government headed by a Chief Minister. Responsibility for certain matters, such as defence, is held by the UK Government. 

The Channel Islands APPG meeting with the visiting delegation to discuss UK-Jersey relations

There is significant interest in Jersey among UK parliamentarians. The Channel Islands All-Party Parliamentary Group, a long-standing cross-party forum in the UK Parliament, promotes an increased understanding of issues facing the Channel Islands, including Jersey, and aims to strengthen existing relations between the UK and the Channel Islands. The visiting delegation met with this group and considered the need for Members in the Jersey and UK legislatures to communicate and cooperate on important issues, including trade, fishing, energy, and immigration. 

Recently an important step was taken to recognise and celebrate the British Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories, including Jersey, in Westminster when the UK House of Commons Speaker and CPA UK Co-President, the Rt Hon Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP, unveiled the new British Family Windows in Speaker's House. The windows display the coats of arms of all British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies, demonstrating their valuable place within the British Family. The delegation visited the windows to see Jersey’s coat of arms placed “firmly at the heart of Speaker’s House.” 

Jersey delegates next to the British Family Window displaying the three golden lions of Jersey's coat of arms

CPA UK was delighted to host this productive visit, which strengthened our long-standing and valuable connection with the States Assembly of Jersey.