 First, in 2005 he was elected to the Council of Ministers as Minister for Planning and Environment, a position he held for nearly six years becoming Jersey's longest serving minister.During this term he introduced the Eco-Active environmental awareness campaign, introduced Percentage for Art, established the Renewable Energy Commission, established the Jersey Architecture Commission and achieved approval for the New Island Plan and the North of Town Masterplan.Second, in January 2011 he was appointed as Assistant Chief Minister with responsibility for UK and International Relations (in effect, Jersey's Foreign Minister).