Bailiwick of Guernsey government. All three legal jurisdictions need Royal Assent from the Privy Council on its primary legislation. Each jurisdiction raises its own taxation, although in 1949 Alderney transferred its rights to Guernsey. The island of Guernsey has a population of around 63,000 in and forms the legal and administrative centre of the Bailiwick of Guernsey. The parliament of Guernsey and of the nearby inhabited islands of Herm, Jethou and Lihou is the States of Guernsey. With a population of around 1,900 in , Alderney has its own parliament, the States of Alderney, which has ten elected members and an elected president.
Fortifications of Alderney suffers from the strong tides and winter storms which have washed away some of the protecting stonework and requires a high annual maintenance bill to keep it intact. The current cost of maintenance being paid for by Guernsey. Fortifications of Alderney Apart from a Roman Fort, there were very few fortifications in Alderney until the mid 19th century. These were then modified and updated in the mid 20th Century by Germans during the occupation period. Alderney at 8 km is now one of the most fortified places in the world. Current evidence indicates that the Nunnery has its origins as