On Monday, Jersey's 49 elected Members will decide who will form the next Council of Ministers. Much of the attention will be on the Chief Minister's nominations. But there is another part of the process that deserves just as much scrutiny. Every elected Member has the right to put themselves forward for ministerial office. The Assembly does not have to accept the Chief Minister's nomination. Any Member can stand. That is one of the most important constitutional safeguards in Jersey's system of government. Yet too often, ministerial positions are decided with little or no contest. If that happens this week, Islanders should ask why. During the election campaign, every successful candidate asked the public to trust them. They spoke passionately about improving healthcare, fixing housing, strengthening education, supporting businesses or changing the way government works. Many argued they had the experience, the judgement and the leadership needed to make Jersey better. Monday is the first opportunity to demonstrate that confidence. Standing for a ministerial position is not an act of disloyalty to the Chief Minister. Nor is losing a vote a sign of failure. The Assembly exists so that elected Members can decide who they believe is best suited to lead each department. If you genuinely believe you are the best person to lead Health, Education, Treasury or Housing, then asking your colleagues to support you is exactly what the system was designed to allow. There should be no embarrassment in standing. There should be no criticism for losing. The only judgement should be whether Members were prepared to put their ideas, experience and leadership before the Assembly. Equally, there may be Members who decide their greatest contribution lies outside government. Strong scrutiny is essential to a healthy democracy, and remaining independent can be every bit as valuable as becoming a Minister. If that is their decision, they should explain it. The public deserves to understand how they intend to deliver on the promises they made during the election campaign. Because Monday is about more than filling jobs. It is about deciding who is best placed to lead Jersey's government for the next four years. That responsibility belongs not to one person, but to all 49 elected Members. Each has one vote. Each has the right to stand. Each has the opportunity to influence the direction of the Island. The public has already played its part. We chose our representatives. Now it is their turn to choose our government. At Lobbi, we will be watching more than who is appointed. We will be watching who steps forward, who seeks the confidence of the Assembly, who chooses to support others, and who chooses to challenge. Those decisions will say as much about the next four years of Jersey politics as the final list of Ministers itself. Because democracy is not only about winning elections. It is also about being willing to accept the responsibility that comes with the mandate the public has entrusted to you.