NEW chief minister Mike Torode has already made three pledges: to be more open with the public, to work hard and to quit politics in 14 months. ‘I made a promise to my wife that I would retire in 2008 and I give an undertaking to the States and to the island that I will work my socks off until the last minute of my time in office. After that, I will enjoy my retirement.’

The speech in which Deputy Torode stated his case for the top job was:

‘The most important issues for our island’s government are long-term stability and credibility and reconnection from the public.

A number of people have asked me if I see my role of chief minister as that of a caretaker.

The answer is a most emphatic no.

A caretaker is someone who comes in to turn off the lights and makes certain the doors are locked at the close of business.

Guernsey is not going to turn off the lights and lock the doors for the next 14 months – quite the opposite, in fact. With a dynamic, forward-thinking and stable, credible government we will demonstrate that Guernsey is still open for business and a good, safe place to live.

Confidence must be fully restored.

Government incorporates environmental, social and fiscal policies.

Sustainable environmental and social policies can only be advanced and maintained by a strong economy and as a member of the Social Policy Steering Group, I am party to the discussions with T and R to obtain essential funding for Capp ‘the Corporate Anti-poverty Programme’.

To keep Guernsey strong and vibrant, we need a stable government led by a team of politicians of the highest calibre.

That team must be led by an experienced, steady and competent leader and I know that I can provide that leadership.

I am a team player and an experienced team leader with 28 years’ service in the States.

Most importantly, I am a team builder. I am a good communicator – I do not rely on the media to convey my message.

I speak openly, directly and honestly. I have an open-door policy.

During the last 27 years I have built and presided over the Police Committee, the Committee for Home Affairs, the Post Office Board and the Transport Board. All of these committees had very strong members on them – Bob Chilcott, Peter Ferbrache, David Nussbaumer and Mike Best spring to mind.

Currently, Deputies Sam Maindonald, Graham Guille, Francis Quin and Geoff Mahy serve with me on the Home Department, none of them soft, malleable or capable of being browbeaten – all with minds of their own and more than capable of expressing their views in the strongest terms.

In my team, work and responsibilities are shared out between working groups. Everyone has their say, but not once have we walked away from the table without ultimately reaching agreement. I am grateful for their hard work and dedication.

I have never had a minority report lodged against a committee or department proposition.

To build a strong, competent team, a leader must select from among those with clearly demonstrable strengths, both as individuals and team players.

But not everyone can sit on an 11-person Policy Council. Members of the States, this is where you all participate. Since 2004, I have heard too many members complain that they have felt that ‘they are in the States, but not in government’ – that has got to change.

Policy Council working groups need their membership broadening to increase the numbers of department members chaired by a single relevant minister.

All-member meetings, such as the Government Business Plan seminars, are the way forward.

Work must be shared out between all members.

We will be an inclusive government where all members feel valued.

Collectively, we have to reconnect with the public of the Bailiwick. Government cannot function properly if it is constantly at odds with the people it seeks to govern.

To move forward, we must take the public with us.

My political experience is not restricted to purely Bailiwick politics.

I have served as your representative for a number of years on the British-Irish Inter-Parliamentary Body.

I have represented the Bailiwick at British-Irish Council meetings about drugs and air transport.

I am probably the only States member to have appeared before a Select Committee of the House of Commons, where I was grilled over the essentiality of island air links.

I have experience of dealing with senior officials and political members of HM Government.

I will fight whomsoever it takes to ensure proper recognition of the rightful independence of this Bailiwick under Her Majesty the Queen.

I know the chief ministers of the IoM and Jersey well and believe that tri-island relationships can be strengthened by meaningful discussion.

During the last three years, I have had responsibility for negotiations with the French authorities over present and proposed nuclear activities at Flamanville.

I have made useful contacts when representing Guernsey nationally and internationally at CPA conferences.

Guernsey’s strong, buoyant economy is the direct result of the strengths of successive States of Deliberation.

The people of Guernsey and the leaders of commerce and industry want to see this recent sorry mess speedily put behind us and the Bailiwick move ahead with a sense of urgency and determination.

We have all learnt lessons from the experience of the last few months and I am confident that all members share a common aim to restore the good name of this government.

With strong guidance and leadership, we will maintain Guernsey’s position in the frontline of international business and as a desirable place to live.’