There could be a four-way election contest for the role of President of Policy and Resources when the new States members are sworn in.
There could even be a few additional candidates nominated by the time the States come round to voting on 1 July.
It will be their first duty after being sworn in.
The 38 elected members of the States of Guernsey and the two States of Alderney Representatives make up the States of Deliberation.
The Policy and Resources Committee leads the island’s Government Work Plan, with the P&R President seen as the States’ leader.
Their title is not Chief Minister but they’re often called that.
The current P&R President, Deputy Lyndon Trott OBE is standing down from the States at the end of this month and his predecessor lost his seat on Thursday.
Deputy Peter Ferbrache polled 5,437 votes – just 21 behind Deputy-elect Sarah Hansmann Rouxel in 38th place.
He has confirmed he won’t request a recount meaning the results are final and ‘Foxy’ will exit the States at the end of the month.
Deputy Ferbrache’s predecessor as P&R President is back in the States for a fourth term though, and there are others who have already said they want a shot at the top job too.
St Pier, Helyar, Le Tocq, Parkinson…
Deputy Gavin St Pier spent most of the last term on the back benches after being beaten to the role of P&R President by Deputy Ferbrache by one vote, after a number of tied votes.
He didn’t attempt to win election as P&R President when it became available after Deputy Ferbrache lost the title in a vote of no confidence, but some wonder whether he’ll try now.
Deputy St Pier is seen by many as the leader of Forward Guernsey – but that means little in reality.
The political party had three of its six candidates elected giving them no weight in the assembly unless they can persuade others to vote with them on key issues they support or oppose.
Deputy St Pier’s personal popularity appears to have taken quite a hit anyway – with him receiving 8,577 votes this time round, to finish in 8th place, compared to the 13,297 he received in 2020 when he was the poll topper.
Also taking a hit in the popularity stakes was Deputy Mark Helyar.
He came fourth in 2020 – the highest ranked newcomer – with 11,398 votes.
That is more than the poll topper received this time round, but Deputy Helyar’s own vote fell to 6,980 putting him in 20th place.
His support for GST+ is likely behind that, but having said he would stand for the P&R Presidency role during his campaign he is expected to stick to his word.
Another politician who lost votes between 2020 and 2025 is Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq.
His numbers are far less dramatic though – with the 8,636 he received in 2020 falling to 8,002 this time round.
He had finished 22nd in the polls in 2020 compared to 8th this time, suggesting a strong level of support remains for the Pastor among the reduced electorate.
Deputy Le Tocq is seen by many as a ‘safe pair of hands’.
Having served as the island’s Lead on External Affairs he is trusted to put on a good show when representing us.
Of the four ‘front runner’s to be P&R President, only one has increased their standing in the polls.
Having campaigned on a ‘fair tax’ ticket, Deputy Charles Parkinson secured 9,294 votes to finish in third place.
That’s up and up on his 18th place finish with 8,812 votes in 2020.
“My ambition was to come in the top five, and I’ve achieved that. So I feel I’ve got the mandate to have a run at Chief Minister and see where it goes,” he told Express after the results were announced on Thursday.
Deputy Parkinson is determined to reform corporate tax before GST+ is introduced – putting him directly at odds with Deputy Helyar when it comes to the vote.
de Sausmarez, Burford, Gollop, Inder…
As poll topper, Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez might be an obvious choice as P&R President for many.
When Express asked her if this was her intention she was non committal.
“I do think as a general rule, and this goes for any positions, I think it is important to understand where people’s skills lie and try to find the best possible matches.
“I know a number of people have declared their interest in various positions. I’m interested in all sorts of things, but I think I do need to sit down with the list and a cup of tea and have a proper, proper think.
“I think the conversations over the next few days will be really, really important in understanding where people’s interests and their strengths lie. So I think that’s what it’s about. It’s finding the best fit for people.”
Closely behind Deputy de Sausmarez in the polls was Deputy Yvonne Burford.
She’s been clear that she’d like a position on P&R, even putting it in her manifesto, but she didn’t specify that she’d like to be President.
“If you choose to elect me, I would like to seek a seat on Policy & Resources where I believe my experience will stand me in very good stead to help get to grips with the challenges and opportunities facing our island,” she wrote.
If experience serves the island well in its senior politicians then there is no one more experienced than the Father of the House, Deputy John Gollop.
Back in the States again, he’s ever-popular at the polls – even though he and others were worried that he might not be successful this time round.
Coming 6th with 11,033 votes in 2020, he has dropped to 22nd with 6,860 votes this time round.
An unlikely candidate for P&R President perhaps, but having sat on P&R during the second half of the current term he could make a return to the senior committee in another role.
Of the incumbent deputies re-elected to the States for another term, the lowest polling was Deputy Neil Inder.
Coming 35th with 5,651 he’s been pretty quiet since the results were declared but he had plenty to say before hand.
Having seen some success as President of Economic Development, he led the negotiations to secure a new ferry contract through turbulent water.
He recently said he wanted to be STSB President next so he can deal with Aurigny.
If that remains his intention he’ll be too busy to think about heading up P&R.