The Crown Dependencies: Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man... and Orkney?

Monday 03 July 2023

Orkney could look to Jersey for inspiration if the islands decide to change their relationship with the UK, their council leader has said.

As widely reported in the national media this weekend, Councillor James Stockan is proposing that the islands explore changing their political status to one that could resemble the Crown Dependences, which are fiscally sovereign but reliant on the UK for defence and foreign affairs.

Mr Stockan believes that Orkney – which is a region of Scotland and part of the UK – has been “failed dreadfully” by both Edinburgh and London, in terms of funding.

He told the BBC: “We know that we have contributed for the last 40 years through North Sea oil, and the dividend we get back isn’t sufficient to keep us going.

“We've got a unique opportunity right at the heart of all the wind projects round our waters.”

Mr Stockan is tabling a motion to the islands’ council this week to investigate “alternative forms of governance”. 

The BBC reported that it will cite Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man as potential models to follow.

He added: “The council will decide whether it supports this motion and from there we will take our time, because we don't want to do this emotionally.

“We want to look at all the practical implications and then we'll evaluate the results.

Pictured: Like Jersey, Orkney is exploring the potential to harness energy - and revenue - from offshore wind.

“We are looking for the very best position for future generations and our place in the world."

Mr Stockan also suggests that the council should also investigate whether the islands could move constitutionally closer to Denmark, Norway or Iceland, like the Faroe Islands to north west.

Orkney was previously held under Norwegian and Danish control until it became part of Scotland in 1472.

Like Jersey, Orkney is exploring the potential for an offshore wind farm. The West of Orkney Wind Farm is being developed around 30 km off the west coast of the islands and around 25 km from the Scottish mainland.

With an expected capacity of around two gigawatts, and due to generate its first electricity in 2029, the project will be capable of powering the equivalent of more than two million homes.