Guest speaker Chief Minister Lyndon Trott and Chamber president Paul Luxon at Friday’s dinner at St James. (Picture by Steve Sarre, 0878469)
GUERNSEY is on the front foot, the chief minister has told business leaders.
Guest speaker Lyndon Trott told the Chamber of Commerce annual dinner what the island and the States had been through this year and what they could expect next.
Deputy Trott said he was recently asked by his children what he did.
‘My job is to help the States make difficult but necessary changes,’ he said. ‘Changes have to take place if Guernsey is to continue to be a great place to live and work.
‘I want to examine what evidence exists that the States recognises the need to change, is willing to change and is able to change.’
This year had not been without ‘tears’, he said. These were not the tears of sadness but the many tax information exchange agreements reached with other jurisdictions.
‘There’s been more to signing Tieas than putting my name on paper,’ he said. ‘It has brought me face-to-face with ambassadors, with key officials and important figures.
‘This has enabled me to tell the Guernsey story and dispel myths within the wider world. This has been an important incremental change.’
He described the many officials he has met with this year, including White House representatives and shadow foreign secretary William Hague.
‘Guernsey is on the front foot,’ he said.
‘Guernsey speaks for itself. For this commitment I get called Super Trott.
‘The development of the role of chief minister is absolute for the island and is an important trend that must continue.’
The island not only needs to build relationships with the wider world, he said, but also with jurisdictions closer to home such as Jersey. This had already begun, he said.
This year the island will spend over £100m. on health, which Deputy Trott said he was glad they were able to do.
But there were still demands on the States, he said.
‘We have to prioritise within our means rather than our ambition.’
He compared developments within the government to seeds. Some would grow quickly while others remained in the soil until the time was right.
The island had planted many such seeds in 2009, he said.
Article posted on 30th November, 2009 - 2.29pm
29 Article Comments
Nothing like a super singing for his supper.
Report abuse
I don’t believe that for a minute. If anybody that reads this can confirm that they have referred to Trott as ’super’ please do so.
Report abuse
Does anyone know where I might score some kryptonite?
Report abuse
won’t that render him powerless, Dean? ;-)
Report abuse
Is there no limit to this man’s ego?
Report abuse
Somebody needs to buy this man a cape. Maybe he will then feel contented when representing Guernsey on the world stage. Did your kids believe the tall story Mr Trott?
Please tell me!
He is becoming more n more drunk on power by the week now.
Report abuse
I really, really, really hope that Lyndon has been misquoted on this.
I read the article about an hour ago and I am still cringing.
Report abuse
I think that he may have been called “SuperTrott” on these pages, as an insult aimed at his intercontinental travel.
I assume that he was making an ironic reference to that criticism, rather than actually saying that he honestly believes that it is an appropriate nickname.
I don’t particularly like the guy, but I am not sure that this is one to add to the pot against him.
Report abuse
In fact, he was called Super Trott in this article, so he has not invented it for himself:
http://www.thisisguernsey.com/2009/11/12/a-long-haul-to-the-front-of-the-queue/
Report abuse
Peter
People that know him from his past and his doomed ventures certainly won’t recognise his description of himself.
He couldn’t ptotect an immoral tax regime, he supports a toxic incinerator, he flip flops on votes and he challenges issues at sensitive times that make him look silly.
He says his EU presence has ‘educated’ the educated. That’s not what I hear.
Report abuse
I think he just didn`t hear properly, it just sounded like “super Trott” if you get what i mean.
I bet none of you lot knew he was also responsible for the big bang. I also heard he complained to Gordon brown about him thinking he saved the world when he knew dame well who it really was. SUPER TROTT da daaa.
Bet he can`t turn water into wine though eh? or maybe ???????
just kidding! :)
Report abuse
I have heard Mr.Trott called many things but I dont recall Super Trott being one of them.
Report abuse
Was it Trott on the radio this morning, telling o how he spent long hours of his childhood in his aunt’s Guemsey business watching everyone hard at work.
Nice to see nothing’s changed ….
Report abuse
@ Peter,
The Press have not misquoted. I was there it was awful and embarrassing.
Report abuse
@Arnald.
I do know him, I was at Elizabeth College with him!!
Also, I joined the Finance industry shortly before him so I heard about his time in the industry.
Also, several of my family and friends are professional fisherman, so guess what, I have been given information about that part of his career!!
As TL says, he was called Super Trott in the Press article…..maybe his sense of humour differs to mine but I wouldn’t repeat such a comment!!
Report abuse
Lets face it, the position of Chief Minister is a non-job in our current Governmental set up. His actual powers are somewhat limited within a consensus government. It is a glorified Ambassador’s job.
The whole point of this is that the only thing that he can do within the role is to go around telling other countries how great Guernsey is, how squeaky clean our finance industry is and then come home and tell us how we are all doing very well; keep up the good work etc.
Calling himself “Super Trott” is of course rather silly; but it is deeply ironic because of his actual lack of powers…
Report abuse
Does the reference to meeting White House representatives suggest that Mr Trott may be planning to relocate his office to Herm?
Report abuse
Oh Come on; he’s cool (or should be)
in the excitement he simply spelled it incorrectly
the word SUPER should have read STUPID,
Remember that old song of the sixties—
“Why does everybody call me BIG-HEAD-
poor lad. “who loves ya baby”
Report abuse
The Planet Peewee cartoon in the 10th of August GP also caricatured him as “Super Trott”, complete with mask, cape, underpants worn on the outside, and a “Super Hero Certificate” on the wall.
Either his super-stupidity has failed to understand that people are taking the super-p**s out of him, or his super-ego has inflated his super-arrogance …… or both!
Report abuse
Susan – or maybe he does appreciate that it was meant in ridicule, but he has a sense of humour and can poke fun at himself.
If that is the case, then it shows that his ego is not super inflated.
But he can’t win really, can he?
Report abuse
Who would think that our esteemed and much loved leader has a super ego.
TL are you his PR guru, or maybe TL stands for Trottys Lady.
He must have a sense of humor, as l like most people laugh at him all the time.
Everything he does now, seems as if its a joke and it appears, that him and our very popular Bailiff, do not talk or look at each other now.
Report abuse
Edquet – or maybe TL is a not so subtle anagram…
but seriously, Lyndon must know he has hit a low of popularity when someone who simply plays devils advocate gets accused of being his PR guru or even his partner!
Report abuse
Mr Rowland’s popularity is well earned.
Mr Trott’s is based on 1100 people using one of seven votes in desperation of knowing that voting for someone they don’t know seems like a lack of democracy.
I actually think that his overconfidence in his ability serves him well in public speaking in front of people that couldn’t give a damn what he says. It serves a purpose.
We need to get Guernsey’s place in the global scheme in perspective. We are despised as a secrecy jurisdiction, we were well liked as a ‘British jurisdiction’ with nice beaches and a quaintness that appealed to urbanites from the the now EU and UK.
Niven’s and Trott’s delusions as us being a powerhouse of financial excellence is based on farce.
His position as ‘Chief’ is a joke.
Let’s realign reality with job description.
I have no beef with him promoting Guernsey overseas, it is a modern necessity. I have extreme bovine hatred of his self-aggrandisement, considering his considerable failures in the past…..
He has a role because of his aptitude to BS, but hat BS needs to based on spinning truth. He is neither transparent nor competent, proven time and time again.
Lyndon, spend more time at home and prove your worth. Stop your PR machine and speak openly. For all Dave Jones’ faults, and Matt Fallaize’s admissions of inexperience (I believe MF is the future for Guernsey), they at least show the electorate what they are made of. You don’t.
Do you still have that scrapbook?
Report abuse
sorry TL. Your joke is far better that Trotty and too subtle for an old Guern.
Report abuse
“Our very popular Bailiff”. Have I just stepped into a parallel universe…
Report abuse
Yes Charles Sander
I wondered about that as well:
“Popular Bailiff” indeed.
not in my book, there was only one Shepard;
too many people want to watch over us, go look after those who need you
Report abuse
I base popularity on the amount of chips i get to thieve when i’m hanging with the brothers down cobo.
Seagull memory is in the DNA, and you have to remember that temporal and spacial travel for JL Seagull is instantaneous through the power of thought.
Trott’s chips had too much salt on them. Rowland’s were posher.
Report abuse
What a totally arrogant man he is.
I was in a cafe this week and a woman approached the said Super Trott, said something to him and, making sure everyone in the cafe heard, he said loudly “You`ll be calling me Mr.President next”.
I don`t think I was the only one who nearly threw up.
I just don`t understand how people in the States can`t see through him.
Report abuse
I suppose we all know how we the Islanders have for years been called Donkeys:
Well now Hey ho;
From now on we’ll be called IDIOTS,
Why? we allow a certain person to laugh at us as he works his preposterous ways amongst us;
He is even out-doing ‘Old Nick’ in causing trouble.l
And do you know what; WE ALLOW IT!!!
That is the sad part of it all.
Report abuse