The Isle of Man ‘cannot underestimate’ the difficulties it may face in the next 12 months, Chief Minister Howard Quayle has warned.

Mr Quayle has given his ‘state of the nation’ address to Tynwald today. He told parliament: ‘There is no doubt that we are entering uncharted waters in the coming 12 months.

‘While we have been successful as an island, we cannot underestimate what difficulties we may face.’

He added: ‘We are seeing the impact in other places that political disunity brings and I am extremely proud that this court (Tynwald) has continued to work together.’

Earlier in his address he said the administration, which he has led since 2016, had had its ‘fair share of significant achievement and challenges’.

He reinforced the message that challenges were best met by working together – ‘public, business, third sector, Tynwald and government’.

Mr Quayle said the government had continued with its ‘ambitious domestic agenda’ in spite of the extra work involved in preparing for Brexit.

His address covered a number of issues, including climate change, the changes to international regulatory regimes on finance and business, Brexit and even some of the island’s sporting achievements.

Tynwald members will have an opportunity to respond to Mr Quayle’s address this afternoon.

More reports in this week’s Manx Independent.