Jersey threatens to break with UK over tax backlash
I have often wondered whether creating tax free areas in some coastal settlements might not be a great way of driving rural regeneration. Come to think of it there is no reason why such a principle might not be extended to some other inland beauty spots in need of jobs. Andorra does ok on that basis. This article shows how important such an economic advantage is to Jersey and how it is determined to ensure it continues to maximise the benefits flowing from it. It tells us:
A barrage of regulatory clampdowns and political attacks on the Channel Islands’ controversial financial industry has prompted one of Jersey’s most senior politicians to call for preparations to be made to break the “thrall of Whitehall” and declare independence from the UK.
Sir Philip Bailhache, the island’s assistant chief minister, said: “I feel that we get a raw deal. I feel it’s not fair … I think that the duty of Jersey politicians now is to try to explain what the island is doing and not to take things lying down.
“The island should be prepared to stand up for itself and should be ready to become independent if it were necessary in Jersey’s interest to do so.”
In a Guardian interview, he said strained relations with the UK over the past five years had made it “very plain” that Jersey’s interests were not always aligned with those of Britain.
“I hope that the constitutional relationship with the UK will continue. But if it becomes plain that our interests in fact lie in being independent it doesn’t seem to be that we should bury our head in the sand and say we’re not going to do that.”