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Guernsey's Chief Minister has thanked the outgoing Prime Minister for the role she's played in the current 'positive tone' in the relationship between the island and the UK, just hours after Theresa May confirmed she is finally standing down.
The Conservative leader was in tears as she ended her speech after agreeing her last day as Prime Minister will be Friday 7 June, meaning she won't have secured a Brexit deal which was one of her main aims when she took on the role three years ago.
Following the announcement of her resignation, Deputy Gavin St Pier issued a statement, thanking her, but also looking to the future.
He said; "It was our engagement with Theresa May shortly after her election as Prime Minister that set the positive tone for our engagement with the UK Government over the last 3 years.
"I wish to thank her for the support she has given in ensuring that our interests have been taken into account and ensure they are represented even when they differ from those of the UK. I also appreciated the assurances that the long standing constitutional relationship should be respected, including that Westminster does not legislate for Guernsey on domestic matters without our consent."
Guernsey could face new challenges under a different Prime Minister though, with Deputy St Pier (pictured above) acknowledging another 'shuffle' is now due in UK politics.
He hopes Guernsey won't be unduly affected by those imminent changes.
"Her impending departure is clearly not unexpected, given recent U.K. political developments. No doubt, in due course, there will be a reshuffle following the selection of a new Prime Minister and we look forward to working with the government headed by a new leader. In the meantime, I am confident that the relationships we have established will continue to ensure that Guernsey’s interests are looked after. We will, of course, also continue to directly represent our own interests across both Whitehall and Westminster."
Mrs May's resignation as UK PM is now expected to spark a leadership contest with Boris Johnson and others expected to stand.
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