This Is Guernsey

By Nick Mann

Deputy Lyndon Trott outside the States chamber yesterday after members voted for him to be the new chief minister. (Picture by Peter Frankland, 0573194)

LYNDON Trott is Guernsey’s new chief minister.

He saw off the challenge of Deputy Bernard Flouquet in the last round of voting yesterday by 27 to 19 with one blank ballot. Deputy Trott immediately declared his belief in a more open and cohesive government.

‘This general election, I believed, called for greater openness and transparency. I believe we will do our best to provide that environment, but it’s a two-way process.  It’s just as important that the public engage with the policymakers as the policymakers engage with the public,’ said Deputy Trott.

He now goes about deciding who he wants to serve on his Policy Council, with the door still open for tax critic Charles Parkinson to be Deputy Trott’s chosen replacement at the Treasury Department.  And he also hinted that some new members could get ministerial positions.

‘The first concern I have is that I’m allowed to assemble a team on the Policy Council that brings together the broadest qualities available within the States and I see a combination of experiences and technical abilities and political abilities combining to create a cohesive unit,’ said Deputy Trott.

‘The reason I’m not prepared to advise as to my preferred Policy Council at this stage is because I didn’t do any deals behind the scenes.

‘Some of my choices might be surprised to receive a call.

‘It’s only courteous that those deputies have the opportunity to consider their personal circumstances and relevant suitability and to advise me accordingly prior to any public announcement.’

However, he is likely to publicly announce his chosen team in advance of Tuesday’s election.

Deputy Trott is most closely associated with the introduction of the zero-10 tax package in the previous term.

It took six rounds of voting, which lasted more than an hour, for the new States to decide who will lead it.

Deputy David De Lisle dropped out first, followed by deputies Carla McNulty Bauer, Hunter Adam and then Al Brouard, who had a surprisingly strong first showing but failed to gather momentum as the rounds continued.

In the States, Deputy Trott paid tribute to his predecessors in the job, Laurie Morgan and Mike Torode.

Mr Morgan was watching from the public gallery as the drama unfolded.