Frank Walker: "Humbled" by support he has received

He won 38 votes in a secret ballot on the Jersey States compared with 14 votes for the only other candidate, Senator Stuart Syvret.

Mr Walker will preside over a nine-member Council of Ministers responsible for government policy.

There will no longer be committee meetings and the decision making process will be speeded up, with ministers implementing policy.

Greatest honour

The ministers will be held to account by fellow States Members under the system of scrutiny already trialled by the house.

The nine-member Council of Ministers will be presented to the States for approval on Thursday.

Mr Walker told the States his election was the "greatest possible honour and privilege".

He said he was "humbled by the support he had received".

Senator Syvret said he was not surprised by the result and hoped to serve as minister of health in the new government.