UK relations are in our own hands
AS FAR as national news goes, there is only one story, with multiple sub-plots, that matters at the moment. The departure, particularly a pressurised one, of a Prime Minister is pure theatre, and carries all the intrigue of a best-selling thriller.
In Guernsey terms, however, the identity of the UK Prime Minister tends to make little difference to relations between us.
The island has been on the rough end of UK government dealings from time to time, most recently under Theresa May's watch, when a public register of beneficial ownership may have been forced on the islands. It took high-level negotiations, seemingly led by Guernsey, to avert the threat.
There have been other threats from time to time, but they are mainly made before governments take power. Once they do, they often find bigger and better things to do than choose to pick a fight with their oldest possessions.
Whether the government is wearing red or blue, it’s Guernsey’s skill at external relations, rather than those at Westminster, which matter most.
Whether islanders thought Boris Johnson to be a world leader or a buffoon matters not. Our senior politicians and external relations staff need to be at the top of their game to ensure the UK understands the constitutional relationship, respects our independence, understands our history, and defends us when needed.