Chief Minister's team emerges unscathed...almost

Friday 08 June 2018

Jersey has a new Council of Ministers, which is almost exactly the one the Chief Minister wanted - although six out of the 10 new ministers didn't actually back Senator John Le Fondré in the recent leadership battle with Senator Gorst.

But yesterday was a good day in the States for the new Chief Minister, out of his ten choices for ministers only Senator Sarah Ferguson was rejected in favour of Deputy Richard Renouf as Health Minister, 27 votes to 21.

Today it is the turn of Scrutiny, with the new States Assembly returning to their seats to elect the head of various panels and committee who will hold ministers to account. 

Although at times the votes were tight, yesterday Senator John Le Fondré successfully got nine out of his ten nominations appointed. His nomination for Transport and Technical Services, Deputy Kevin Lewis, sneaked in by two votes defeating Senator Steve Pallet, 25 to 23, whilst his nomination for Environment Minister, former Planning Chief Officer, Deputy John Young, had an even narrower call. He beat former Environment Minister, Deputy Steve Luce, by just one vote, 24 - 23. Senator Kristina Moore abstained from that vote. 

Seven of Senator Le Fondré’s nominations were elected unopposed. The full list is as follows:

Minister for External Relations: Senator Ian Gorst

Minister for Treasury and Resources: Deputy Susie Pinel

Minister for Education: Senator Tracey Vallois

Minister for Health and Social Services: Deputy Richard Renouf

Minister for Social Security: Deputy Judy Martin

Minister for Infrastructure: Deputy Kevin Lewis

Minister for Economic Development: Senator Lyndon Farnham

Minister for Environment: Deputy John Young

Minister for Housing: Senator Sam Mézec

Minister for Home Affairs: Constable Len Norman

Pictured: Nine out of ten, not a bad day for the Chief Minister.

It was a long day of speeches and questions, punctuated by occasional moments of humour, with many members being cut off by the Bailiff mid answer because they'd run out of time.

But, perhaps the funniest moment came right at the end, just before 18:00. Standing to address members, Constable Len Norman, who's held the posts of Deputy, Senator and Constable, and who's been in the States for 35 years - a man most people thought had achieved all of his major political objectives - told the house: "Many of you will be surprised I'm standing here putting my name forward as the Home Affairs Minister. But, none of you are as surprised as me, after all I didn't even vote for Senator Le Fondré [as Chief Minister].”

It's an interesting point. Out of the 10 ministers elected, six didn't vote for Senator Le Fondré as Chief Minister: Senator Ian Gorst; Deputy Susie Pinel; Senator Tracey Vallois; Deputy Richard Renouf; Senator Lyndon Farnham; and Constable Len Norman. In other words he seems to have more opponents than supporters in his Council of Ministers. This could be seen as a sign of a new inclusiveness; maybe a tactical masterstroke - keeping his enemies close to hand; or a recipe for political unrest. As the saying goes "only time will tell".

This morning the States will start by electing a chairman of the Privileges and Procedures Committee (PPC) - the committee responsible for the smooth running of the States; then chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) - a financial watchdog; and then the chairmen of the five Scrutiny panels: Corporate Services;  Economic Affairs; Education and Home Affairs; Environment, Housing and Infrastructure; and Health and Social Security. Followed by appointment of the Chairman of the Planning Committee, and appointment of the chairman of the Jersey Overseas Aid Commission.

Pictured: Senator Kristina Moore is going for chairman of the Corporate Services Scrutiny Panel and president of the Chairman's Committee.

Senator Kristina Moore, who came second in the recent senatorial election, has already declared she'll be standing as chairman of the Corporate Services Scrutiny Panel and president of the Chairman's Committee, saying: "This will enable me to deliver on the manifesto pledges I made by focusing on a joined up approach to enhancing our community, strengthening the economy and protecting the environment."