Alderney urged to focus on its positive points
ALDERNEY needs to focus on exploiting its natural, social and historical assets to put its balance sheet back in the black, island businesses have been told.
David Earl, who was recently elected to the States of Alderney, staged a talk after the States of Guernsey determined that a review of the post-war agreement with Alderney was required urgently.
This obliges Guernsey to provide essential services such as health, education and policing in return for residents’ income tax.
The aim of the talk, which was attended by around 40 Chamber of Commerce members, was to set out the nature of the 1948 Agreement and kick-start a discussion on possible ways forward.
‘Until the mid-’90s we paid our way, if not more,’ said Mr Earl. ‘Arguably we were in credit.’
To redress the balance, Mr Earl said he believed that more of a ‘cup half full’ approach was needed – pointing to how Malta had turned its fortunes around.
Alderney’s flora and fauna, Victorian forts, talent base, potential for renewable energy and reputation as a premier jurisdiction for gambling regulation should be celebrated and exploited in a strategic way.
The island would provide an excellent nursery for fintech industries, he said, as noted in a previous report by the States of Guernsey on the financial relationship.
He acknowledged that since the 1948 Agreement was signed the relationship between the islands had moved on. In any renegotiation, Alderney needed to establish what its goals were.
He showed slides with various options. The first, illustrated by an Alderney flag, was renegotiation of the agreement and retained independence.
The second, on which flew a Guernsey flag, was a closer financial and political union with Guernsey.
The third, with the Union flag, was to go cap in hand to the UK Ministry of Justice and ask them to adjudicate.
However, noted Mr Earl, the ministry was usually reluctant to intervene in cases other than complete breakdown of government.
A closer relationship with France was urged by audience member Nick Winder, as well as with both bailiwicks. Another audience member asked if the renegotiation was being driven solely by Guernsey. The MoJ had a duty to broker any new deal, he insisted.
David Griffiths, a retired international business negotiator, said every resident could help promote a more prosperous, independent Alderney.
‘What we can all do to help is talk up Alderney and focus on its many positive aspects,’ he said.
‘We need to tell every visitor about the many wonderful things we have here and not the things that we don’t.’
