THE race to be chief minister took another turn yesterday as David De Lisle threw his hat into the ring.

But it appears to have done little to quell a surge of momentum that has gathered behind Deputy Bernard Flouquet who, according to his camp, currently has about 28 pledged supporters.

Whether that turns to votes on Thursday when the chief minister election takes place remains to be seen, with intense lobbying behind the scenes. Treasury minister Lyndon Trott is the other declared candidate and his supporters have been working the phones hard to close the gap to Deputy Flouquet. They, too, are claiming to be in pole position.

Deputy Al Brouard said yesterday evening that he was seriously considering standing and that several people had asked him to. Deputies Hunter Adam and Carla McNulty-Bauer are also believed to be considering a bid.