States Members have overwhelmingly voted to reject an amendment to allow French tourists three-day visits to Jersey as part of a proposed ID scheme extension.
Deputy Philip Bailhache brought the original proposition to the Assembly asking Home Affairs Minister Mary Le Hegarat to maintain a post-Brexit day-tripper scheme, which was first trialled in 2023 and extended by 12 months last year.
Politicians spent the bulk of today’s debate discussing an amendment to Deputy Bailhache’s proposition by Deputy Philip Ozouf seeking to allow visits of up to 72 hours.
The amendment was heavily defeated by 34 votes to 14, with one abstention.
The day-tripper scheme was due to run until September this year however its future was thrown into doubt by UK plans to implement a new Electronic Travel Authorisation regime.
Jersey would need to negotiate carefully with the UK regarding an exemption to these incoming requirements.
Visitor numbers from the continent plummeted after post-Brexit rules requiring those travelling from France to have a passport came into force.
Many French visitors do not have passports, and instead use their national identity cards to travel within the EU.
Opening Tuesday’s debate, Deputy Bailhache said: “If the boot was on the other foot and the UK had to decide whether or not to defend its economic interests it would not hesitate to do so for a nanosecond.”
Citing Visit Jersey statistics in his report, Deputy Bailhache said the significant rise in French day-trippers in 2023 was “no doubt” as a result of the ID scheme, with numbers increasing to 31,440 in 2023 and to 42,100 in 2024 compared to 14,915 in 2022.
It is estimated French day-trippers were worth £4.5 million to the island’s visitor economy last year.
Deputy Le Hegarat indicated that she backed the continuation of the day-tripper scheme.
But she warned ahead of the debate that it could result in the introduction of a hard border between the island the UK in a “worst-case scenario”.
In the Assembly, Deputy Le Hegarat said the “UK already had concerns about scheme” which would require “strong assurances” that proper controls were in place.
Commenting on his amendment, Deputy Ozouf said: “French visitors would want, if they could, to stay for more than a day trip.”
Deputy Ozouf called his proposal a “sensible” and “pragmatic” approach, but Deputy Le Hegarat warned this would “significantly” increase the risks associated with the scheme, which she said had been successful due to its “limited” nature.
Former Home Affairs Minister Helen Miles said she backed the current minister, adding that Jersey “should absolutely not be taking further risks with security at our border”.
Deputy Montfort Tadier described Brexit as the UK’s “mess” which Jersey was dealing with the fall-out from.
Economic Development Minister Kirsten Morel described Deputy Ozouf’s amendment as a “gamble”.
He said: “Jumping now to three days I believe could imperil that one day.”
Politicians are due to continue debating Deputy Bailhache’s proposal tomorrow.