SIX years ago, as the ash settled on the first failed bid to build a mass-burn incinerator, the Environment minister conceded defeat.

A new force, led by a young deputy in his first term of office, had defeated the old guard and started a search for practical alternatives led by an independent panel free from the shackles of government.

For environmentalists, it was the beginning of a bright new era where recycling, re-use and waste reduction would come to the fore.

The minister, Bernard Flouquet, was less than impressed. His opponents should have trusted his department’s research proving that burning was the only solution. Still, he argued, they ‘had a democratic right to be wrong’.

Last week, as minister for Public Services, he stood before the Assembly essentially telling deputies ‘I told you so’.

Faced with a second stunning defeat, the minister graciously promised to work willingly on drawing up plans for a new waste minimisation strategy to replace the ill-fated burner.

Is it possible, though, for anyone to make the transition from forthright advocate of ‘burner or disaster’ to a free-thinking independent who will recognise, nurture and promote radical ideas for waste minimisation?

For nobody should doubt that the States decision on Friday was a bold step, perhaps recklessly so, in which a huge amount of faith must be invested.

If Public Services cannot deliver a green paper of quality – and subsequent policies to match – the island will have a serious waste problem.

Entrusting that policy to a team who believes it is a mistake is a certain way of making it one. Without belief at its bedrock, the plans will fail, especially if the department cannot take islanders with them.

As became clear in the ‘Gollygate’ row, resignation is not something that comes easily to Deputy Flouquet. However, he must now recognise that only a politician committed to the ideals of waste minimisation and one untainted by past arguments has a hope of making this work.

A minister is the voice and vanguard of the department and its policies.

Deputy Flouquet cannot be that voice on PSD.