Laurie Morgan's comments came after suggestions that both islands could save money by working with each other.

Jersey's Senator Frank Walker wanted both leaders to meet after Guernsey's new government system was implemented.

Deputy Morgan said it would not be right for both islands to present themselves as a single jurisdiction.

We are two separate jurisdictions with our own laws Laurie Morgan

There have already been unofficial meetings between politicians from the two islands, led by Jersey's Senator Dick Shenton.

A future meeting of the presidents of Jersey's government committees and Guernsey's Council of Ministers may look at the possibility of shared financial services and health care.

Senator Walker, president of Jersey's Policy and Resources Committee, has said he believed the islands were stronger when they acted together on matters such as EU tax proposals.

Deputy Morgan said working together had been successful before, but that it had to be noted that both were separate jurisdictions.

He said: "We are, in fact, competitors in the business world, and whereas we are very happy to co-operate with our friends in Jersey, and they with us, I don't think it would be right for us to present ourselves as a single jurisdiction because we are not.

"We are two separate jurisdictions with our own laws, practices and I think to try and present ourselves as one jurisdiction would be quite wrong."