04 August 2017
Robin Walker MP, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Exiting the European Union (DExEU), will be undertaking his first official visit to Jersey on Monday 7 August 2017.
The Minister is the primary point of contact between the UK Government and the Government of Jersey in relation to Brexit, and has met formally on three occasions with the Chief Ministers of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man, where he has reaffirmed the UK Government’s commitment to engaging the Crown Dependencies on relevant issues during the negotiations.
Mr Walker will meet with the Chief Minister, Senator Ian Gorst, and the Ministers for External Relations, Economic Development, Home Affairs and Environment, to discuss Jersey’s ongoing work with DExEU and UK Government departments and the priority workstreams that have been developed.
States Members, including those comprising the newly formed Brexit Scrutiny Panel, will also have an opportunity to meet the Minister, as well as updating him on their ongoing engagement and thoughts on Jersey’s position in relation to Brexit. Following this, Mr Walker will meet with members of the financial services industry at a session hosted by Geoff Cook at Jersey Finance.
The Minister will complete his time in the Island with a visit to Jersey Dairy, where he will be given a tour of the processing facilities, as well as being provided with an overview of Jersey’s objectives relating to customs and trade and the ongoing work in relation to agriculture and fisheries.
When in the Island the Minister will be hosted at Government House by the Lieutenant Governor, His Excellency Air Chief Marshall Sir Stephen Dalton, and will attend a dinner organised by the Bailiff, Sir William Bailhache.
The Chief Minister, Senator Ian Gorst, commented, “I am delighted to welcome the Minister to Jersey for the first time. Through all our engagement on Brexit he has shown a comprehensive understanding of the concerns of the Crown Dependencies and has reiterated the commitment of the UK Government to ensuring our views are heard as negotiations progress. I hope that he has both an enjoyable and informative time in Island.”
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Exiting the European Union Robin Walker said:
“I am committed to fully engaging with Jersey on our exit from the EU.
“My first visit to Jersey since becoming a Minister at the Department for Exiting the EU will give me the opportunity to see for myself the challenges and opportunities that will arise for the island as a result of our exit and to discuss them in more detail.
“Ensuring our successful withdrawal from the European Union is a clear priority which the UK Government and the Crown Dependencies share.
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