The announcement, which revealed the names of the politicians who would serve as assistant ministers, finalised the full squad of Senator Le Fondré’s new government following his election to the top job in Island politics earlier this month.
Like the England team, it was a mix of youthful energy and wise old heads. But that’s probably where the similarities end.
And although the line-up is peppered with Members who could probably be regarded as ‘political veterans’, there are several newcomers and relatively inexperienced politicians, and Senator Le Fondré has acknowledged that the appointments focus on ‘building experience for the future’.
Four first-time politicians have been appointed to assistant minister roles – with three out of the four each having two separate assistant minister positions.
St Lawrence Deputy Gregory Guida has been appointed as both Assistant Environment Minister and Assistant Home Affairs Minister, while Deputy Hugh Raymond takes on assistant minister positions in Health and Infrastructure.
Deputy Lindsay Ash, a former foreign exchange trader whose campaign slogan was ‘Get on the L.Ash’, has been appointed Assistant Treasury Minister.
And Constable Richard Buchanan, who was elected unopposed in St Ouen, has seemingly been given a baptism of fire, being appointed to the two heavyweight roles of Assistant Chief Minister and Assistant External Relations Minister.
All three Assistant Chief Ministers – Mr Buchanan, Constable Chris Taylor and Deputy Carolyn Labey – were all elected into the States unopposed.
Five ministers or assistant ministers – Mr Buchanan, Mr Taylor, Deputy Labey, Deputy John Young and Constable Len Norman – were elected to the States without a contest.
And Deputy Jeremy Maçon can expect a busy few years, having been appointed assistant minister in three departments – Education, Health and Social Security.
In a statement, Senator Le Fondré said: ‘These appointments ensure that we are building experience for the future and promoting closer communication and co-operation between portfolios and across government, which is one of my key objectives.
‘I will soon present a full report to the States Assembly, setting out the responsibilities of ministers and their assistant ministers. In the coming months I will be reviewing the existing portfolios to assess whether they meet the needs of our strategic priorities and of the planned changes to the public sector structure.
‘I look forward to working together with my colleagues in the interests of all Islanders.’
