Chief Minister crunch talks today ‘will not stop’ no confidence vote

Monday 05 June 2017

The Chief Minister will today meet with the politician who has threatened to kick him out of the Island’s most senior political position in a last attempt to change his mind – but Constable Chris Taylor says that there’s little chance of him being convinced otherwise.

Constable Taylor first announced plans to bring a vote of no confidence last week, prompted by Chief Minister Ian Gorst’s shock reappointment of his long-term political ally Senator Philip Ozouf who had previously resigned in the aftermath of the Innovation Fund scandal.

He told Express that the decision came after weeks of “discomfort” amongst backbenchers, who were concerned over Senator Gorst’s exoneration of Senator Ozouf – a figure who has divided the Council of Ministers – following a critical report into ministerial responsibility for the failed Innovation Fund by UK QC Jessica Simor, and his alleged involvement in the decision to withdraw funding plans for the £466 million future hospital.

The St John Constable was drawn into a meeting on Thursday afternoon with Senator Andrew Green, the Deputy Chief Minister, “…to begin discussions of some of the issues underlying the proposed vote of no confidence.”

But that meeting – the content of which has been kept silent by the Constable and Senator Green – and today’s crunch talk with the Chief Minister will not stop the vote from being lodged this week, the Constable told Express.

Pictured: Constable Chris Taylor, who has pledged to bring a Vote of No Confidence next week, speaking out in the States against the Innovation Fund scandal.

“They set up a meeting with me and I’m meeting with the Chief Minister on Monday and I’d agreed to do that. It’s only right that I should go see and inform him about what’s happening.”

He added: “It’s very difficult to imagine what negotiations there can be, but it is right that I meet the Chief Minister and talk through the proposition and I would do that with any and everybody that I was taking action with.

“But nothing’s changed with my mind.”

To be able to bring the vote, he needs the backing of just four States members. He already has this, and says that the “dream” would be to gain the support of 25 politicians – an absolute majority – ahead of the vote in the hope of allowing Senator Gorst the chance to resign without the “mudslinging and name-calling” of a debate.

While the Constable still declined to reveal the quantity of votes gained so far, he said that he was, “…getting close” to his goal, having even managed to garner votes from unlikely places.

“I have had additional support from one or two who I felt would be sympathetic, but probably not supportive, have actually come forward and said, “yes, I support what you’re doing.”

“The feeling both publicly and amongst States members is very very strong.”

A Chief Minister’s department spokesperson was unavailable for comment.