Tough on the intake but this time Torode is going

Saturday 8th March 2008, 9:29AM GMT.

THE next House faces the most challenging first few months a new assembly has experienced, according to the outgoing chief minister.

Deputy Mike Torode said that while the turnover in deputies made the period after a general election difficult, he expected this one to be particularly challenging.

‘There’s just so much on the table that it’s going to be a very difficult time. More so than any other new House. It’s always difficult for the first few months, but this time it’s compounded because there will be more new people.’ He estimated that up 18 might not to stand, resulting in a big loss of experience.