A new Chief Minister for Jersey as John Le Fondré voted in

Monday 04 June 2018

Senator John Le Fondré has been voted in as the island’s next Chief Minister.

Senator Le Fondré learned that he would take the island's most senior political role shortly after midday today, securing 30 votes in favour. It comes hot off the back of a Senatorial poll victory, which saw him placed in third position with 14,204 votes.

Incumbent Chief Minister and competitor, Senator Ian Gorst, secured the support of 19 States Members - not enough to score him a third term.

Senator Le Fondre has been elected Chief Minister designate by 30 votes to 19.

— States Assembly (@StatesAssembly) June 4, 2018

Thanking the Assembly for his victory, Senator Le Fondré commented: "Hopefully we will all work together moving forward." He received a foot-stomping of approval.

Senator Gorst, who Senator Le Fondré says will be his next External Relations Minister, expressed his gratitude to his supporters over his six-year term, stating: "They will never know how grateful I am to them for their support... I give my congratulations to Senator Le Fondré."

Speaking following the vote, Senator Le Fondré told Express that he was "stunned" by the result, and that he would spend the rest of the day celebrating and relaxing.

Both candidates were asked to make speeches of 10 minutes, before facing an hour-long grilling by their 48 newly-elected colleagues.

Senator Le Fondré was asked to go first, while Senator Gorst left the room. The Senator ran on a platform of "teams work, egos don't", telling his fellow States Members that he would be committed to working cooperatively.

Pictured: The result brings an end to Senator Ian Gorst's six-year reign at the top of island politics.

Part of his team, he revealed, would include Senatorial poll-topper Tracey Vallois as Education Minister, and with Deputy Carolyn Labey using her Jersey Overseas Aid experience  in an International Development position. A new role of Children's Minister for Reform Jersey's Senator Sam Mézec will also be created, as part of the Senator's commitment to implementing the recommendations of the Care Inquiry. He declined to reveal who would take the Treasury spot, stating that four candidates were being considered.

The Chief Minister-elect was challenged on whether he was a strong decision-maker, for which he provided examples, and was equally quizzed over the controverisal equal marriage 'tolerance clause' he brought to the Chamber for debate earlier this year, which was voted down. He nonetheless claimed that the issue was in the past, and that he was keen to promote inclusivity. 

Senator Gorst, meanwhile, stood on a 'change' platform. He argued that he would be the best option for seeing the island through the challenges of Brexit, as well as sweeping public sector reform changes under new States Chief Executive Charlie Parker.

Who voted for who?

Senator John Le Fondré, Chief Minister-elect

• Senators Sarah Ferguson, Sam Mézec (Chairman, Reform), and John Le Fondré
• Constables Sadie Le Sueur-Rennard, Mike Jackson, John Le Maistre, Chris Taylor, Richard Vibert, John Le Bailly, Richard Buchanan, Karen Stone
• Deputies Judy Martin, Geoff Southern (Reform), Montfort Tadier (Reform), Carina Alves (Reform), Robert Ward (Reform), Carolyn Labey, Kevin Lewis, Jeremy Macon, Russell Labey, Lindsay Ash, John Young, Kirsten Morel, Hugh Raymond, Steve Ahier, Rowland Huelin, Gregory Guida, Jessica Perchard, David Johnson, Trevor Pointon

Senator Ian Gorst, outgoing Chief Minister

• Senators Ian Gorst, Lyndon Farnham, Steve Pallett, Kristina Moore, Tracey Vallois
• Constables Simon Crowcroft, Len Norman, Deirdre Mezbourian, Philip Le Sueur
• Deputies Mike Higgins, Louise Doublet, Susie Pinel, Steve Luce, Richard Rondel, Richard Renouf, Scott Wickenden, Graham Truscott, Mary Le Hegarat, Kevin Pamplin

More updates and analysis to follow...