A Brexit minister says he is increasingly confident that the UK can leave the EU with a deal.

James Duddridge, Under-Secretary of State for the Department for Exiting the European Union, was speaking during his first visit to the Isle of Man where he met the Chief Minister to discuss preparation for Brexit and the implications for a no-deal.

Speaking at a press conference held in the boardroom of Isle of Man Creamery, the Brexiteer MP for Rochford and Southend East told reporters: ’I’ve come to the island to discuss with the Chief Minister and other people the Brexit implications for the Isle of Man, to discuss the preparations that have already taken place and see what more needs to be done in preparation for a no-deal scenario, the contingency scenario, but also to discuss what the opportunities are if things go right.

’The Chief Minister has previously said he would be pleasantly surprised if we get a deal through. I’m increasingly confident we can get a deal through and looking to that as a key scenario.’

He said that part of that, after October 31, was looking at future economic partnerships.

Mr Duddridge said: ’It is very important that Crown Dependencies like the Isle of Man are part of that planning, both at a geographic level because the island has different challenges and opportunities but also at the sectorial level which is why I’m at Isle of Man Creamery looking at the implications for dairy and the export markets.’

So what gives him cause for greater optimism that the UK can leave with a deal?

He said: ’At the end of July the EU and UK government weren’t talking on a regular basis. Barnier was saying "I have no mandate, we’re not going to talk". As soon as Prime Minister Boris Johnson went to Angela Merkel and Macron effectively talks did start.

’The negotiating position hasn’t actually changed on the EU side but talks are happening. The idea that the Prime Minister could sit down with Tusk and Steve Barclay, my Secretary of State, with Barnier and talk would have been for the birds only a month ago but that is now happening.

’David Frost, who is the Prime Minister’s sherpa, is in and out of Brussels like a yo-yo. And he’s doing that not just at a high level but taking in a range of civil servants negotiating and discussing detail.’

How could he say that the UK will leave for certain on October 31 when the UK Parliament has voted against leaving without a deal?

The Minister said: ’The Prime Minister was brought in with that mandate. I know there are some contradictions in UK law, we could be here for hours discussing that.

’The Prime Minister is determined we will deliver Brexit on October 31. He wants to do that with a deal. If we can’t get it with a deal we will do it on a no-deal basis. ’And I’m there to support him and make sure the Isle of Man is in the mix in terms of those negotiations.

’The British public have voted very clearly they want to leave. The last Prime Minister failed to deliver that. This Prime Minister is going to deliver it.

’There is a lot of technical, legislative detail behind that but what I can say is that we are still determined to leave on the 31st and I have increasing confidence we will do so with a withdrawal agreement, particularly after this week, setting aside the theatrics of the press conference, actually it was a very productive meeting.’

How can we rebuild trust and faith in politicians which has got to be at an all-timelow?

’Simply, deliver Brexit and move on to a domestic agenda that people want,’ he replied.

’Get the basics right, build more houses, get more police on the streets, more nurses and doctors in hospitals, start working on international relationships with the rest of the world which is where the growth is.’

Mr Duddridge ended his interview by saying he was looking forward to direct flights to the Isle of Man from Southend Airport which is in his constituency.