With all eyes on the Commons for today's Super Saturday vote on Boris Johnson's Brexit deal, the UK's departure from the EU has really gone down to the wire.

But if the UK does leave on October 31, what will it mean for the Isle of Man, its people and its businesses, given that the island is not - and never has been - part of the EU, or included in the UK’s membership?

The answer from the Isle of Man Government is that Brexit will mean change and it wants everyone to be prepared.

That’s why it launched its ’Are you ready for Brexit?’ campaign in September.

Chief Minister Howard Quayle MHK has outlined to the Manx Independent the Government’s preparations for Brexit and what the public and businesses need to know and do as exit day approaches.

’Preparedness has been our watchword when it comes to Brexit,’ he said.

’There is plenty of uncertainty around about exactly what kind of Brexit will take place.

’Will there be an extension? Will there be a general election?

’And this uncertainty is further magnified by emotional exchanges in Westminster and in the media.

’It would be foolish for me to try to predict what is going to happen.

’But one thing that I think is inevitable is that there will be change. Change for the UK and change for the Isle of Man. But even the degree of change is uncertain.

’What this government has done is to prepare as best we can for any eventuality.

’Whether that is what is being called a hard Brexit where the EU and UK are unable to reach a deal or - what we hope for - Brexit with an agreement in place.

’It is a fast moving political environment. Negotiations will, I am sure, go right to the wire.

’We have done our best to prepare, we must now watch and wait and be ready for any eventuality. I have never tried to hide the fact that I believe the Isle of Man may be effected.

’My aim has been to ensure that any effect is managed as best we can to reduce the impact on people’s lives.’

The Chief Minister explained the Isle of Man Government has been preparing for Brexit since the result of the 2016 referendum result.

’We’ve been preparing for some considerable time now.

’This has involved updating our laws, consulting with the business community; working closely with the UK Government; and now, as Brexit approaches, engaging with the Manx public so they are clear on what they need to do and what to expect.

’There is a wealth of information available on the Government website at www.gov.im/brexit, including a handy guide to download.

’Copies have also been provided to libraries and local authorities.

’I would encourage everyone to take a few minutes and look to ensure they know how their lives or businesses may be affected.

’This is not all about distant politics.’

The Chief Minister said there were six main areas ’where people and business can expect to see and feel the impact of Brexit’.

People

’The first is people. We have many EU citizens here on the island.

’They are part of the fabric of our community and make an important contribution. We want them to stay.

’The UK leaving the EU means there will be some changes to the way that immigration is done.

’There is a new process for EU citizens to apply to remain in the Isle of Man. The process is simple and free.

’The deadline is some way off but I would encourage our EU residents to do it sooner rather than later.

’Likewise, there will be new rules for people from the Isle of Man living in the EU who wish to remain there.’

Travel

’The second area is travel. This is one that is likely to be more noticeable because it will be felt by everyone who travels to an EU country after Brexit.

’For example, passports will need to have at least six months’ validity remaining at the start of any trip. There are some other complex rules that mean in the event of no deal, the validity you see on your passport may not be recognised by EU countries. ’There is a simple online tool to check this. If there is no deal, there may also be new checks whentransporting pets to EU countries, such as the need to prove vaccination against rabies.

’Driving in the EU will see new rules and regulations - or existing ones being more strictly enforced on the continent. For example, Isle of Man drivers in the EU have always been required to have with them an International Driving Permit. It is likely we will see greater vigilance by law enforcement on checking that UK and Isle of Man drivers are in possession of the appropriate permit.

’A motor insurance green card will also be required, for example, which provides evidence of insurance cover when driving abroad.’

Business

A key consideration for the Isle of Man, is the impact that Brexit may have on the economy and the business community. We have worked closely with business to help ensure they are as prepared as they can be.

The UK will no longer form part of the EU’s customs territory, and this affects the Island in terms of movement of goods. A no deal could see checks at the border between the UK and the EU - including the Republic of Ireland. This is a complex area where considerations about country of origin, tariffs and VAT need to be considered. There is help and advice available.

’I would urge businesses and traders to familiarise themselves with the advice available on the Government website.

’The labour market may also be affected. Businesses may have more difficulty in recruiting staff if the flow of EU nationals coming to the island is disrupted, but we hope this won’t happen.’

Healthcare

’When I speak to members of the public, they often ask me about medicines. We have worked hard with the UK to ensure there is minimal disruption. We are part of the systems that supply the NHS and have had reassurances from UK ministers that we will be treated exactly the same way as UK trusts.

’As is always the case, medicines need to be prescribed, dispensed and used responsibly.

’Delays at the borders in the event of no deal may disrupt the flow of goods, however there are plans to import any medicines that come from the EU through UK ports away from the south coast.

’There are contingency plans in place to ensure that everyone will be able to get the medicines they need.’

Utilities

Planning for Brexit brings to light just how interdependent and interconnected the world is.

’We have looked at all aspects of life on the island, including areas where people might imagine us to be self-sufficient, such as access to water.

’For example, we import chemicals for purifying drinking water and treating sewage.

’We import a great deal into the island, our petrol, oil and gas and chemicals. We are not anticipating any significant disruption of these.

’But we will of course remain vigilant.’

Food

The most visible sign of Brexit in the event of a no deal may be on UK and Manx supermarket shelves.

’People do not need to be concerned about the supply of food in terms of having enough to eat.

’What may change, however, is access to certain types of foods that come from - or through - the EU.

’It may be that in the short term, the choice on offer is more limited or different.

’If you are partial to a particular type of lettuce from Italy or a cheese from France, you may have to be flexible and choose something different until supply chains settle down again.

’There has been no better time to support our local food and drink producers.

’As well as availability, people have suggested that disruption could affect the costs of some foods. This is possible.

’There has been significant investment in warehousing and longer transport times for foods could drive costs up. These costs may be reflected at the till.

’Our conversations with local and UK companies suggest that they will do what they can to keep prices as they are. We will be keeping a close eye on prices.

’If we see that any increases are disproportionately affecting the more vulnerable parts of our community, we will take action.’

The message is ’be ready’

’I appreciate there are a great deal of "ifs" and "maybes" in these answers.

’That is the nature of Brexit.

’The continued uncertainty is frustrating.

’We approach exit day without clarity on whether the EU and UK will have a deal in place.

’I want to assure the people of the Isle of Man that we have worked to minimise disruption and, where there is disruption, we will deal with it.

’Brexit is a complicated topic that affects different people in different ways.

’I would encourage every single person to visit gov.im/Brexit or obtain a printed copy to find out more and make sure they’re ready.’