Is new Assembly ready to rise to the challenge?

It is different, certainly. With a swathe of fresh faces and every one of the top jobs having changed hands, we are currently perched on the edge of a metaphorical precipice waiting to see which way we will fall.

But the situation might not be as precarious as some first feared. After all, despite the predominance of newbies on many of the committees, and the sidelining of two former chief ministers, all but one of the new presidents are experienced politicians (Overseas Aid being the exception). Furthermore, several have previously served on the committees they are now leading.

As for the most senior committee, P&R, three out of the five members are old hands at local politics.

So, although both the electorate and the elected have voted for change, there is continuity there too.

And while the new deputies lack political experience, many of them bring with them a wealth of business experience, which is to be welcomed considering the economic challenges the island is facing. However, it is likely that they will quickly discover, like many before them, that running a business is very different to running an island.

Many of the promises made in manifestos may prove difficult, if not impossible, to implement.

The challenges ahead for this Assembly are monumental – they have a global pandemic to contend with, the spectre of Brexit hanging over them, as well as economic issues and the longstanding problem of an ageing population.

Whether this mixed bag of politicians will be able to rise to the occasion remains to be seen, but voters wanted change and they got it. Will they live to regret it, like many American voters who four years ago chose to take a chance on a wealthy reality TV star mired in scandal and controversy and eschewed the ‘establishment’ presidential candidate?

Only time will tell, but you can rest assured that if things go awry for this Assembly, this newspaper will be here to hold them to account.

And no matter what happens, as the current US president might well be about to find out, nothing lasts forever.