As well as my role as Minister for International Development I am also Assistant Minister for External Relations, where I have the opportunity to promote the outward-facing aims recommended in the Island Identity project. It is through soft diplomacy and developing relationships where Jersey can often grow international ties that benefit the Island.

Last November I was fortunate to meet the Governor of New Jersey, Phil Murphy. I believe that this was the first time that an ‘old’ Jersey representative had met one of the 50 elected officials responsible for the government of the American states, (I also met his wife Tammy, who has a good friend living in St Martin!) The Governor offered his support in developing our ties while at a Municipalities Conference, which brings together all 564 municipalities in the garden state of New Jersey.

This is the largest gathering in the whole of the US and the first time a Jersey Minister had attended. I was given the opportunity to speak to the Mayors and their many officials at the conference (which I think was the biggest audience I have ever addressed) and where I set out the origins of our historic ties, as well as our desire to grow commercial and economic links in the future. I also gave an interview to US cable channel Comcast to amplify our messages.

As a Government, we have a vital role to play in facilitating relationship building and providing opportunities for young people, local organisations and businesses to prosper with America and beyond. Our concerted efforts, were met with enthusiasm to forge closer bonds – in the economy, education, culture and maybe even sport. After all, we too have sports teams bearing the names “Jets” and “Bulls”!

Earlier this year, I wrote an article for ‘NJ Municipalities’ magazine, which is distributed to around 7,000 readers across the State. I was delighted to see it published, raising awareness of our Island and strengthening ties with our namesake. Some of these links are already bearing fruit — in 2026 we hope to welcome one or two Princeton students for summer placements. These are high-calibre students, capable of developing strategies and policy frameworks — not for doing the photocopying and making cups of tea!

Jersey Connections

You may recall that in late 2024 I launched an initiative called ‘Jersey Connections’. It is an online network that connects a wide range of people with links to Jersey. The idea is to cultivate a sense of community among the Jersey Diaspora living in all corners of the world. If you have friends or family living overseas, who wish to maintain an interest and hear news about the island, whether that be professional, economic, social or if they just want to keep up-to-date with what is going on, do encourage them to register on ‘Jersey Connections’ at: www.islandidentity.je