Lindsay De Sausmarez makes history as Guernsey's first female Chief Minister

ITV News

6 days ago

Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez, who topped the poll in June's General Election, is Guernsey's next Chief Minister.
She becomes the first woman to hold the top job, after serving as Environment and Infrastructure President in the last States.
De Sausmarez only decided she was running for the position less than a week ago, but saw off competition from Deputies Jonathan Le Tocq and Mark Helyar to be elected as the President of the Policy and Resources Committee.
She won the support of 22 of her colleagues in the first ballot, meaning she was immediately elected as she received more than half of the total votes cast.
Reacting to the result after it was read out, De Sausmarez says: "I wasn't expecting this at all.
"I don't have anything prepared, so I'll have to sit down now but I will shake everyone's hand."
Who is Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez?
- Born and bred in Guernsey, De Sausmarez is 47 years old and lives in St Martin's with her family.
- She was first elected as a deputy in 2016.
- De Sausmarez emerged as a powerful political figure in the last States, serving as President of Environment and Infrastructure, and Vice President of Employment and Social Security.
- Seen as a progressive politician, she is a keen environmentalist and supported the modernisation of Guernsey's abortion law.
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De Sausmarez topped the poll in June's election, receiving 10,721 votes - she was the only candidate to get the backing of more than 50% of those who cast their ballots.
When De Sausmarez announced she was standing last week, it became clear that today's vote was likely to be her coronation.
Over the past few weeks since her poll-topping election victory, I've been told by some deputies that the world of Guernsey politics really was her oyster as no matter which job she chose to run for, she would receive a lot of backing.
There is no doubt she is an extremely hard-working politician, regularly lodging amendments and getting policy letters passed. She is also not afraid to call out inappropriate behaviour - something that she tells me is fundamental to improving the nature of politics.
Many would say that fiscal policy isn't De Sausmarez's bread and butter, so how she will deal with one of the island's biggest fiscal decisions (whether or not to progress with the GST+ package) will be fascinating to see.
That being said, the whopping amount of support she has received today will not go unnoticed, especially in a political environment that has previously been characterised by division and bitterness.
De Sausmarez will now put forward who she would like to serve with on Policy and Resources.
Some names being mentioned include former Chief Minister Deputy Gavin St Pier, as well as Deputy Charles Parkinson, who earlier this week stood aside for De Sausmarez.
Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq may also continue in his role as External Relations Minister.
That being said, there is no certainty that those she wants to serve end up being elected.
The decisions will be made by all States members when they vote on the rest of the senior committee members on Wednesday, with the Presidencies of the other committees chosen on Friday.
Then next week, elections for the other members of these committees will happen in the Assembly.
The first States' meeting will take place on Tuesday 15 July.