Mike Vibert's term of office is stuttering to an end. His defence of ESC's current Chief Officer who has been served a disclosure notice by the States Police in relation to the ongoing HDLG inquiry, as reported by Stuart Syvret on his blog yesterday, shows that despite the election results he will plough on regardless until December. Did we expect anything different? Suppose not.
So who is the best candidate to replace him at ESC and who will the establishment want in order to maintain a firm grip on power?
There are several names doing the rounds at present; Carloyn Labey, the Assistant Minister with special responsibility for culture, Jim Perchard and Geoff Southern have all crop up regularly in conversation. Carolyn Labey is by far the best of that bunch. Although it could be argued that she has not really set the world on fire with the culture portfolio her undoubted desire to support the ongoing Police investigation would open up the Department to proper scrutiny and some serious soul searching.
For me personally there is really only one candidate that stands head and shoulders above the rest and that is Roy Le Herrisier. Highly educated, very articulate and professionally respected by almost all regardless of political allegiances he would be the sort of strong and independent minded person capable of giving the department to the shakeup it needs. And the benefit to the Island as a whole should not be underestimated as he; along with hopefully Alan Breckon (another one who is not to be bullied) would bring a strong social agenda to the COM.
Who do you think should be the next Minister for ESC?
