Deputy Lyndon Trott outside the States chamber yesterday after members voted for him to be the new chief minister. (Picture by Peter Frankland, 0573194)

LYNDON Trott is Guernsey’s new chief minister.

He saw off the challenge of Deputy Bernard Flouquet in the last round of voting yesterday by 27 to 19 with one blank ballot. Deputy Trott immediately declared his belief in a more open and cohesive government.

‘This general election, I believed, called for greater openness and transparency. I believe we will do our best to provide that environment, but it’s a two-way process.  It’s just as important that the public engage with the policymakers as the policymakers engage with the public,’ said Deputy Trott.

He now goes about deciding who he wants to serve on his Policy Council, with the door still open for tax critic Charles Parkinson to be Deputy Trott’s chosen replacement at the Treasury Department.  And he also hinted that some new members could get ministerial positions.