We’ve planned for a no-deal Brexit – Deputy St Pier

Mrs May was defeated by a majority of 149 votes after 391 MPs voted against her deal and just 242 voted support – a smaller defeat than when they rejected it in January.

Following the defeat, Mrs May told the Commons that she will grant a free vote to Tory MPs in a vote tonight on whether the UK should leave the EU without a deal on 29 March.

Guernsey’s senior politician, Deputy Gavin St Pier, said that having watched the politics unfold over the last few days the result was not a great surprise.

‘Clearly the ongoing uncertainty we have been living with for several weeks and months is going to continue for a few more days yet and possibly longer,’ he said.

‘We will continue to do as we have been doing for some time now, which is continue to plan for every outcome including a no deal exit on 29 of March.

‘All our regular meetings have been continuing on that basis.

‘In a sense it is no change, as it is for so many jurisdictions, we continue to be the passive observers of this political crisis in the United Kingdom.’

If the Commons declines to approve a no-deal Brexit, a vote on extending Article 50, the legal mechanism taking the UK out of the EU on 29 March, will take place on Thursday.

‘This is an issue of grave importance for the future of our country,’ said Mrs May.

‘Just like the referendum there are strongly held and equally legitimate views on both sides. For that reason, I can confirm that this will be a free vote on this side of the House.’

The Prime Minister added that the choices now facing the UK were unenviable, but due to the vote against her deal, were choices that must be faced.

After Mrs May’s defeat, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said the prime minister should now call a general election.

Asked what the best case scenario for the island would be, Deputy St Pier said it was a difficult question to answer.

‘Clearly if the United Kingdom is to exit, then having a clear withdrawal agreement and process to enable that to happen, we think is in Guernsey’s best interests,’ he said.

‘What we don’t have any visibility of is what the new future relationship will be, as that has not been negotiated, so in a sense even if there is a withdrawal agreement in whatever form, we still have a period of uncertainty of what our relationship will be.

Deputy St Pier said that Guernsey’s position since day one has been that the set of relationships the island has through protocol has worked well for the island.

‘If that is to continue, in for example through an extension, at least we know what we are working with,’ he said.

‘’I think the risks for ourselves and the UK and the EU member states is the disruption and uncertainty which would come from an exit that has been unplanned, and that still remains a legal certainty until such a time that the policies agree otherwise, which is why we have to continue to plan for that as one of the likely outcomes.’