This Is Guernsey

WITH the lobbying done, emails sent, phone calls made and the bitter rowing over the hustings in the past, it must have been with some relief that States members could yesterday get down to a decision on who would be chief minister.

The day belonged to Lyndon Trott, a modern young leader with a vision of a more open, communicative future for the island.

Deputy Trott’s election represents a significant break from the patrician days of past leaders who have, without exception in modern times, been older men towards the end of their political careers.

The St Sampson’s deputy was the youngest member of the House when first elected in 2000 and is still in his early 40s. Given a chance and a fair wind he has the opportunity to shape the island’s government and thus its future for much of the next decade.

Crucial to his success in that mission will be his ability to bring this House together.

Each of the candidates for chief minister has emphasised the need for unity and, in a new sense, joined-up government. They must now live up to those words by standing full square behind the man the House has chosen.

The bitter recriminations which marred the build-up to yesterday’s election showed that not very deep under the surface of several members and their supporters is a political and personal vehemence which goes beyond acceptable levels.

To be a successful chief minister, Deputy Trott must foster an atmosphere within government where such zealots are either converted or isolated.

It is naive to expect that all evidence of a divide will disappear overnight as the deputies become one big happy family, but islanders must hope that such divisions as do appear are based on policies and not personalities.

Once argued on the floor of the House those differences can be put aside, and if losing members cannot wholeheartedly bang the drum for the new policy they can at least resist the temptation to decry it at every opportunity and undermine those who must make it work.