Found this on a letters page on WALES online SIR – As a Jerseyman visiting friends in Wales, I am horrified to read of your First Minister’s wrong-headed attempt at interference in the forthcoming Scottish Referendum. He seems not to realise that all of us alike, in Jersey, Guernsey, the Isle of Man and Gibraltar, as well as in all four countries of the UK, use the Pound Sterling as our common currency. Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man are Crown Dependencies, but are independent countries, and have never been a part of the UK, and Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory, likewise no part of the UK, and in charge of most of its own affairs except defence and diplomatic representation. The financial markets and sectors in these small territories are of real significance, and, counted together, come a close second to Scotland’s important role in world finance, way ahead of Wales. If Mr Jones had any real financial power, would he be threatening to pull out the Sterling rug from under the feet of everyone in Jersey and the other territories in a similar position? Would he be pressing us to switch to the Euro, or to an unspecified Jersey currency? We are happy to accept the Euro, the Dollar and other currencies in our shops, but remain loyal to the Pound Sterling, which is as much ours as it is yours, or the Scots’. We in Jersey proudly enjoy our independence, and would urge the Scots (and our Welsh hosts, too) to join us as independent members of the Sterling Area, sharing our currency – and our Queen – on an equal basis, while being free to look after all our own affairs. John de Gruchy, St Peter’s, Jersey walesonline.co.uk/incoming/western-mail-letters-monday-1-7698685
Posted on: Thu, 04 Sep 2014 09:26:46 +0000
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