20/04/2012 BBC Channel Islands News

Villain good evening. Welcome to the programme. Our top stories it

Who wants to be a Chief Minister? As the dust settles from Guernsey's

general election, two people put themselves forward for the top job.

Also on the programme: Honoured for service in Afghanistan. The Jersey

soldier recognised for saving lives. And, a massive weekend ahead for

local sport. Can Guernsey and Jersey Rugby do

Good evening. The race to be Guernsey's next Chief Minister is

Two candidates have now put their names forward for the top job. Any

others have until Monday to submit their nomination. Penny Elderfield

reports. With the emotion of the night over,

it's time to get on with the job. And, the next time Guernsey's new

government meet here, it will be to pick a new leader.

Today was the first day candidates for Chief Minister could come here

to submit their nominations. But, at the moment, it's looking like it

will it be a two-horse race. The current Chief Minister was first to

get his in. Followed by a deputy, who's making a comeback, after a

four-year break. To get a mandate, bearing in mind the people are

voting for change, he needs to have a credible candidate standing

against him. At the moment, in the current system, I think that's what

I can offer. That will enable him to get that mandate if he wants it.

Otherwise, if the States do choose to change, I am offering myself for

that degree of change. But, other ministers have now ruled

themselves out of the race. As has the politician who's now been

serving the longest. And none of the new faces can stand, as you

have to have served for four out of the last eight years. So, what sort

of person does it take to do the job?

The sort of person is somebody that can listen. That can understand

papers, the many papers that pass across their desks in the course of

time. Can receive advice from the Chief Executive of the States. And,

can try and keep order among a bunch of quite disparate

personalities that sit around that table.

Nominations have to be in by Monday. After which, the States will have

to take their pick from the list, even if there's only two names on

Two electoral districts have recounted ballot papers this

afternoon. In the Vale, James Symons asked for the recount, after

just missing out on the seventh place by 42 votes. In St Peter Port

North, Rhoderick Matthews missed out by just three. A scheme that

could bring more international jet setters to Jersey is under review

by the island's government. The island is considering setting

up an aircraft registry, meaning private jets could be registered on

the island, rather than abroad. The hope is that more owners would use

Jersey as a base, creating a whole industry around maintenance, as

well as bringing more visitors to the island. Rachel Royce reports.

Private jets, like this one, are generally the preserve of

millionaires, crown princes and celebrities. Jersey has its fair

share of private planes that visit or are kept here. But now, the

state is wondering whether more could be done to help the private

aviation industry take off. Like Jersey car registration plates,

should there be a Jersey aircraft register?

RAC huge benefits, I need to be convinced otherwise. I see some new

jobs, inward investment, infrastructure being put up at the

airport, more tarmac and Hannah space. And I can see a

diversification for the economy which can only be good. Guernsey is

also looking into getting its own register, and a joint Channel

Islands initiative is also being considered. Whatever scheme, if any,

is approved, it will have to compete with other jurisdictions,

mainly the UK, US and Isle of Man. I think it all depends on the

package that Josie can offer to people that are trying to gain

interest from investing in a locally registered aircraft. They

have got to think about whether they are competitive against the

ones currently in place, and there could be a great deal of interest

in the industry. If Jersey did set up its own registration scheme, the

Jersey flag would be flown the jet set all over the world.

For the Perks to Emilia in their owner of registering in Jersey are

the wonderful location and potential tax breaks. But, the

question is, would setting up a register bring more benefits, than

cost? A man has been charged with affray, following a stabbing in St

Helier on Wednesday. Michael Thomas Calvert, 30, from Liverpool, faces

charges of making an affray, being in possession of an offensive

weapon, and causing �300 worth of malicious damage to a telephone at

the police headquarters. He's been remanded in custody until his next

appearance before the Magistrate's Court on 4th May.

A part of Guernsey's 0/10 tax regime has been deemed harmful by

European Union officials. The EU Code of Conduct Group on Business

Tax has concerns about aspects of the distribution of profits to

local shareholders. Jersey and the Isle of Man have revised their

schemes, and gained approval last year. Guernsey's Chief Minister

says he was expecting the news. I am not worried about it at all,

it is entirely predictable. Most informed commentators anticipate

that this outcome. We needed this to have the certainty of the E u

group's view, and we should be able to make the necessary revisions to

enable us to maintain or provide a zero ten macro tax regime going

forward. You're watching the BBC in the Channel Islands. Later in

Spotlight with Justin and Victoria: The fight is on. Find out why these

villagers are standing up to Cornwall Council. And it's all over

some vegetables. A member of the Jersey Field

Squadron has been honoured for service in Afghanistan. Sapper Tom

Richardson analysed video to detect unexploded devices. Today, at

Government House, he was recognised for his life-saving work. Our

reporter Nafisa Sayani was there. The RAF pilot said to everyone on

board, we are going into steep descent into Kandahar airfield. I

thought, what am I doing? Sapper Tom Richardson, it was his

first taste of the Royal Artillery in Afghanistan. As a full-time

reservist, he was responsible for spotting improvised explosive

devices, so they could be made safe. Two years later, he looks back on

his time there with mixed feelings. It was a rollercoaster. Some days

were absolutely horrific when things got wrong and people were

shot or blown-up, absolutely horrific. But also, saving lives,

connecting with the local people. When you see you are achieving that,

it is quite rewarding. And, though the experience itself may have been

reward enough, today his service has been recognised with a military

award. His exceptional diligence and thoroughness ensured a high

detection rate delivering key operational effects and without

doubt saving many lives. For Tom, this award is special. But he

remains humble, knowing he helped make a difference in Afghanistan.

And seeing the proud faces of his family, it's clear they know it too.

It's a big weekend for Jersey Rugby Club. If they beat Coventry

tomorrow they'll not only take the title, but will also be promoted

for the third season in a row. Beckie Williams joined them for

training, ahead of the big match. Gearing up for the biggest match of

the season. This weekend, Jersey Rugby Club face Coventry, a match

that could see them promoted to the Championship, the second tier of

English rugby. I genuinely and not that nervous. People keep saying I

should be but I am not. I am sure the players are excited, looking

forward to the challenge, making sure they do themselves justice.

And, at a windy night at St Peter, Jersey have been going over set

plays. There's no room for error on Saturday. We are really privileged

to play in front of such massive crowds. People shake your hands

when you meet the men or supermarket. It is really big for

the island and the rugby community. Jersey are currently top of the

table in National League One, on 110 points. Ealing Trailfinders are

six points behind, on 104. And Fylde are in third place on 98.

There is no doubt this is a hugely important match for the island side.

If they win on Saturday, they'll be among the top 24 clubs in English

rugby. If they lose, it could all be down to the nerve wracking last

day of the season. You can listen to commentary of the

match, live from Coventry, on BBC Radio Jersey Sport Scene, with Tim

Pryor and Richard Collinson. It starts at 2pm, with kick-off at 3pm.

Meanwhile, if Guernsey rugby team win against Hove at Footes Lane

tomorrow, it'll see them promoted to National League Three. They lead

the London One South Division, and have won their last 17 games in a

row. They need to win tomorrow, to ensure they finish top and are

automatically promoted. Player coach Jordan Reynolds says the home

crowd will be a great help. One it has always been pretty good,

the crowd tend to get behind their teams. But Philip if we can get

that it can push us along. The atmosphere will be great,

especially if we win. We have got Now it's time for the weather.

Hello, good evening, more showers over the next few days into the

weekend. It might be towards early tomorrow we have a line of more

persistent rain and frequent showers before we return to

sunshine. We still have no pressure. A couple of other funds are

introducing thicker cloud and more persistent rain. But they do move

away and by midday tomorrow we are back to a more straightforward mix

of a few showers and decent spells of sunshine. Breezy conditions

continue into Sunday. A new area of low-pressure will show on Monday.

Quite a wet and windy day. A few showers busy evening. They will

merge together to give more persistent rain. Brisk westerly

winds, seven degrees minimum. For much of tomorrow, we will see some

sunshine and a few isolated showers in the afternoon, took just getting

up to 13 degrees. The winds becoming West and North westerly.

These are our coastal waters forecast. Scattered showers with

moderate or good visibility. Here are the times of high water. And,

for our surface. -- surfers. At the weekend, expect

the showers to continue. On Monday, more persistent rain which could

mean quite a wet day early in the day, showers back with us on

Guernsey athlete Lee Merrien is preparing for one of the greatest

tests of his life. He needs to be the first or second British runner

to finish the London Marathon on Sunday, within two hours and 12