Guernsey to send delegation to Reform conference

Guernsey has never sent a delegation to the Reform UK conference

Guernsey's States will send a delegation to the Reform UK party conference in Birmingham this September.

It is the first time an official party from Guernsey's government will attend the event.

Alongside Reform's event, officials and deputies from Guernsey's States will also go to the Liberal Democrats, Labour and Conservative party conferences.

Policy and resources lead on external relations, Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq, said: "Many MPs don't really know what the crown dependencies are and what Guernsey is."

"We have for the past few years increased from one to three party conferences, now because of the changing political scenery in the UK we're adding Reform to that."

Reform UK currently have four MPs in the House of Commons and are led by Nigel Farage, who visits the Channel Islands regularly.

Deputy Jonathan le Tocq said it was vital the Channel Islands sent delegations to these events

Deputy Le Tocq said it was important the island engaged across the political spectrum.

"Obviously the Lib Dems have big numbers in Parliament so we want to make sure our network is understood," he said.

"Overall in Westminster over half of the MPs are brand new, like here in Guernsey,

"It's really important to have that engagement, so when questions occur we don't have people getting the wrong idea and our constitutional relationship is maintained."