The Chief Minister has been to London to talk about Brexit with Westminster government officials.

Howard Quayle MHK led a delegation on Monday with Enterprise Minister Laurence Skelly MHK.

A statement from the government described the discussion as positive.

It was the latest in the series of quarterly meetings between the Crown Dependencies and the UK Department for Exiting the European Union (DExEU).

Mr Quayle joined Ian Gorst, Chief Minister of Jersey, and Gavin St Pier, Chief Minister of Guernsey, for talks with Robin Walker MP, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at DExEU.

The meeting took place days after the publication of the proposed Withdrawal Agreement, which indicates that the Isle of Man will retain its current relationship with the EU during the Brexit implementation period.

That news shouldn’t be much of a surprise since the status quo will continue for most of the UK/EU relationship during the implementation period.

While they were in London, the Manx delegation visited Westminster to ’strengthen relations with MPs and peers’, while Mr Skelly took part in meetings with representatives from what a Manx government press release descries as ’the international business community’.

Mr Quayle said: ’It is always beneficial to spend time on the ground in Westminster to learn more about the UK’s Brexit negotiations.

’Positive engagement with the UK builds a deeper understanding of the Isle of Man and ensures our voice continues to be heard.

’The regular meetings with Robin Walker help to cement our relationship with those at the very heart of the Brexit process. We will continue to use these insights to work towards the best possible outcome for the island.’

Mr Skelly added: ’In addition to Brexit, the future of international business centres remains in sharp focus, with issues around trade, tax and transparency.

’The visit to London provided an opportunity to reaffirm the island’s value to the global community and to spell out the differences that set us apart from other offshore nations. Face-to-face meetings are the best way to deliver the right messages to the right people.’

Manx Independent comment, page 18