In a historic, if not completely unsurprising, win the UK’s Labour Party gained 211 seats in this week’s General Election and toppled the Conservative Party. Rishi Sunak has been ousted and Keir Starmer is set to become the UK’s new Prime Minister
Guernsey’s President of Policy and Resources, Deputy Lyndon Trott, has offered further comment on the news:
“Historically, Guernsey’s government has enjoyed positive working relationships with previous Labour governments. In recent years, we have engaged with many Labour MPs, on a range of issues. I was pleased to have the opportunity to meet Sir Keir Starmer on several occasions through my role on the CityUK Leadership Council.
“It was a pleasure to meet him again briefly in May when I attended the events in Normandy to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day. I am also aware that Deputy Le Tocq has met many of the former Shadow Cabinet, which means we are well placed to engage with the new government when it has been formed.”
Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq is the External Relations Lead for P&R, and commented:
“Our continuing engagement with UK parliamentarians has increased the level of understanding about Guernsey and its special relationship with the Crown. It will be vitally important for the new UK Government to understand and respect that deep, historic bond. We will look to build on this good work with the new Parliamentary intake. This is especially important given the UK Government’s responsibilities on behalf of the Crown to represent the interests of the Bailiwick of Guernsey internationally. It was encouraging to read that the Labour Party manifesto included reference to defending the sovereignty and right to self-determination of the Crown Dependencies.”
Deputy Trott added that he will be writing to the new Prime Minister to “congratulate him and his party on their election success and to express our continued desire to work closely with the UK Government to address challenges and opportunities which lie ahead”.
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