Gorst: I'm backing Kristina Moore for Chief Minister

Monday 27 June 2022

Support for Jersey electing its first ever female Chief Minister appears to be building after former Chief Minister Ian Gorst announced he will be backing Kristina Moore.

Deputy Gorst, who came third behind Deputy Moore and her Better Way movement running mate Lucy Stephenson in the western 'super-district', said on Sunday afternoon: "Islanders have spoken.

"We now need a CM who will unite the Assembly, act on the peoples priorities and provide hope for the future.

"I'm optimistic, I'm supporting @Moore4Jersey."

Islanders have spoken. We now need a CM who will unite the Assembly, act on the peoples priorities and provide hope for the future. I’m optimistic, I’m supporting @Moore4Jersey

— Deputy Ian Gorst (@Ian_Gorst) June 26, 2022

Kristina Moore - who, if elected, will be the first woman to hold the office of Chief Minister - previously served as Home Affairs Minister during Ian Gorst's leadership.

When John Le Fondré was elected Chief Minister in 2018, he became External Relations Minister, while Deputy-elect Moore did not rejoin the Council of Ministers, but instead became Chief Scrutineer.

The former External Relations Minister had previously told Express he wished to remain in this position. Although he reaffirmed that he would be standing by this position in the early hours of Thursday morning, there had been speculation that this could change by Monday's 17:00 nomination deadline.

Among those to sign Kristina Moore's Chief Ministerial nomination form were St. John Constable Andy Jehan and returning Deputy Philip Ozouf, who worked as Treasury Minister in the same Council of Ministers as Deputy Moore.

Apologies for being offline for the last 2 days

The telephone reception is not as good as #JerseyCI

I am honoured to have signed @Moore4Jersey nomination on Friday

This was my first commitment to @StSaviourJersey voters

There is so much more [and hope it is Moore] to do ???? https://t.co/2TNvdc2N8T

— Philip Ozouf ???????????????? (@philipozouf) June 26, 2022

Deputy Ozouf said he was "honoured" to do so, while Constable Jehan commented: "Having worked with Kristina for more than 11 years, I have watched her development closely.

"Always looking to learn and improve, I think she is now ready to take on the role."

Happy to have signed @Moore4Jersey paper for #ChiefMinister Having worked with Kristina for more than 11 years, I have watched her development closely. Always looking to learn and improve, I think she is now ready to take on the role. #Moore4CM pic.twitter.com/CdL8DL53UD

— Andy Jehan ???????? (@AndyJehan) June 24, 2022

Kristina Moore also has the public backing of her three colleagues of the Better Way movement, St. John Constable Andy Jehan, Constable Richard Vibert, as well as political newcomer and previous Chief Ministerial hopeful Tom Binet and his supporters.

Previous Chief Ministerial candidate and current Deputy Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham, who scraped into the fourth seat in St. Mary, St. Peter and St. Ouen, has not confirmed whether or not he will go for the top job again.

The day after the election, he 'liked' a Tweet from an islander asking him: "Please put your name forward for CM." 

Pictured: Newcomer Tom Binet yesterday told Express he had abandoned his Chief Ministerial campaign and said he would back Kristina Moore, as he felt it was clear she had "overwhelming" support.

However, on Sunday, he appeared to have decided to back Deputy Moore, having 'liked' Deputy Gorst's supportive tweet.

St. Helier North poll-topper Inna Gardiner also liked Deputy Gorst's tweet. 

Going up against Deputy Moore will be Reform Jersey leader Sam Mézec, who announced on Friday his party's plans to form a government after it doubled its seats to 10.

Pictured: Reform Jersey is hoping to form a Government with leader Sam Mézec as Chief Minister.

Reform said it would be sharing further details about its plans on Monday afternoon.

The Progress Party-Jersey Liberal Conservatives coalition had previously agreed to back Sir Philip Bailhache as Chief Minister.

However, the coalition only secured three seats: Sir Philip (JLC) in St. Clement, Malcolm Ferey (JLC) in St. Saviour, and Steve Luce (Progress) in Grouville and St. Martin.

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