In the latest of his in-depth interviews with the island’s 24 MHKs, PAUL SPELLER talks to Geoffrey Boot, the former Conservative councillor who came to the Isle of Man 30 years ago and is now Environment, Food and Agriculture Minister.

The qualified pilot airs his views on everything from the abilities of the President of the United States to how the current House of Keys is an improvement on its predecessor.

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He was an outspoken critic of the government before he was elected, but for one of Howard Quayle’s new ministers, the Boot is now on the other foot.

Geoffrey Boot was first elected in 2015 and, a year later, he found himself part of the Council of Ministers. It is a swift turnaround for the former German commissioner, who accused the previous administration of being ’out of touch’ and lacking ’real hands on business experience’.

Mr Boot is chatty and affable when we meet - and also keen to make clear that, although he was a Conservative councillor in the UK, he is no Tory interloper acting as Theresa May’s secret agent in the Isle of Man.

’I am not a Conservative. I was a Conservative. I am an independent here that has a political view of things with a small c. I come slightly from the right, rather than slightly from the left.’

The Glenfaba and Peel MHK is now at the helm of the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture.

It’s a big remit, everything from planning control to scallop quotas. Areas such as agriculture and fishing are among those facing Brexit uncertainty.

Mr Boot, 63, who lives at Ballagarraghyn in St John’s, was one of the few, during last year’s Tynwald debate immediately in the aftermath of the referendum result, who saw the potential for some positives, if it meant some restrictions on industries would be lifted.

Does he feel the same now?

’The biggest problem for us, not just in government, but in DEFA, is we do not know where it is going at the moment,’ he says. ’We understand there is going to be uncertainty, because the UK cannot go into negotiations by exposing its own hand in the first tranche.

’We need to be as informed as we can be, but they are not going to tell us any more than they are going to tell the general public.’

He says this is why it is crucial to maintain good links with those in Westminster and, he adds, where his UK contacts in business and politics may prove helpful.

Those links are being maintained, although he is at pains to point out he is full-time in the Isle of Man - having first moved here 30 years ago. He has family in the UK, but his business interests there are now taken care of.

Not that transport was ever an issue. He holds a pilot’s licence, which propels him to the top of the table in Council of Ministers cool points, in the unlikely event such a league exists.

He owns a Siai Marchetti SF260, but it does not get quite so much use these days.

He says he and his wife Suzie still compete in air races - he has an impressive record - but nowadays there is only time to do so once or twice a year.

’Before I was elected, we used to use the airplane for transport as well as leisure, but nowadays, because I don’t need to be here or there, we fly commercially.’

Our meeting comes just days after Harrison Ford hit the headlines for a piloting near miss. I ask Mr Boot if he has ever had any such close calls.

’I used to do quite a lot of test flying and I co-founded a magazine called Flyer Magazine and used to do all the test flying of aircraft, so I have flown a lot of different types and I have had some interesting experiences. But there are no old, bold pilots, so I tend to be a fairly timid pilot.

’The older I get, the more risk averse I become. I like to make sure when I make a decision I make it for the right reasons and that applies to politics as well, analysing a decision and getting a best outcome. It is the same as in business.’

That brings us to how he finds the differences between business and politics. For some, the change in pace can be frustrating. I mention it is a reason proffered for Donald Trump’s volcanic start to presidential life: the sudden switch to having to justify his decisions.

There is a brief look of horror on his face - until I assure him I am not comparing him with Trump - before he adds: ’I have been in politics for a long, long time, so I am used to the political process and the fact you have to please as many people as you can.

’If anything, the way I ran my primary business benefited from the fact that I was in politics, because I didn’t make snap decisions, I didn’t bully people. I certainly didn’t act like Donald Trump and make it up as I go along.’

Having earlier discussed the possible impact of Brexit on the industries he is now charged with representing, I put it to him that those same sectors, fishing and agriculture, can be among the hardest to please.

Mr Boot believes the best approach is to be straight-talking.

Earlier this month, the department revealed controversial plans to put out to tender the running of the meat plant.

’When we had the meat plant meeting, I started by laying out the details of the situation and I think there is a feeling within the farming community that something needs to be done.

’People came up to me and said: "Thank you. At least you are trying to do something. We feel there needs to be something at the end of the tunnel."

’I am fairly honest about things. I need to say things as they are.’

Rather like his criticism of the previous administration. I ask whether his view has changed now.

’I feel the new administration has brought in a whole new feel to the Keys and the level of debate has improved considerably.

’I got very frustrated in the last administration, listening to the same old things by certain members.

’It has been good for the House to refresh. It is also useful to have a bit of experience.’

The land ownership, successful business background, history with the Conservative Party and even his pilot’s licence suggests it might be hard for some people to relate to him. The question is whether he can relate to them.

’Can I identify with people? I think that is always a difficult o ne to answer.

’On two occasions, now, the electorate have decided they would elect me and, particularly this time, with Peel as part of the constituency, I knocked on just about every door in both parts of the constituency.

’I had some very illuminating, enlightening, interesting conversations from all sides of the political spectrum.’