Chief Minister: It’s Walker

Monday 5th December 2005, 12:00AM GMT.

JERSEY’s first Chief Minister is Senator Frank Walker.

He beat Senator Syvret by 38 votes to 14 in today’s historic election in the States, ushering in the era of ministerial government.

The new States Assembly met for the first time with the sole purpose of choosing the politician who will lead the Island’s first Council of Ministers.

Senator Walker (62) began the day a clear favourite over his younger rival.

Both men had offered important roles to each other should they be successful, underlining the mutual respect which has developed between them despite careers spent on opposite sides of the political divide.

Senator Syvret (40), who topped the poll in last month’s Senatorial election, is expected to be offered the job of Health Minister when Senator Walker’s cabinet is formed on Thursday.

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