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A Minister turned Chief Scrutineer has announced her bid to become Chief Minister, pledging a government focused on addressing the cost of living while reining in public spending.
Senator Kristina Moore said that the message that islanders want a “new, accountable government” was “loud and clear” as she confirmed she would be seeking States Members’ backing for the top political role if elected in June.
Senator Moore is hoping to become one of four Deputies in the newly created 'super-district' of St. Mary, St. Ouen and St. Peter.
The Chief Ministerial push will pit her against former Bailiff and Minister Sir Philip Bailhache, who leads the Jersey Liberal Conservatives, and the Jersey Alliance’s Sir Mark Boleat. Both men are standing for election in St. Clement.
Current Chief Minister Senator John Le Fondré, who is also a member of the Jersey Alliance, has ruled himself out of the race.
Previous Chief Minister Senator Ian Gorst, meanwhile, recently told Express's Politics Disassembled Podcast that he feels he has more work to do under his current External Relations portfolio.
Pictured: Sir Philip Bailhache (JLC) and Sir Mark Boleat (Jersey Alliance), who are both standing in St. Clement, also want to be Chief Minister.
Senator Moore has served as a States Member for 10 years, having been elected Deputy of St. Peter in 2011. She was re-elected in 2014, going on to serve as Home Affairs Minister.
In the 2018 election, she came second in the Senatorial poll, and became Chair of the Scrutiny Liaison Committee, which oversees all backbench reviews of government spending and policy.
Among Scrutiny’s key recent successes have been securing changes to stamp duty for high-value properties and increasing the Community Costs Bonus in line with inflation.
Senator Moore said she had taken the decision as she has been “hugely encouraged” by islanders’ feedback since her election campaign got underway last month. If successful, she would be the first woman to become Chief Minister in Jersey.
“The message is loud and clear,” she said, “People want a new, accountable government that will rebuild trust and confidence and deliver change for Jersey as we face challenging times ahead.”
She continued: “The world and the island faces some challenging years ahead. I want to deliver the best future for islanders. To do that, I need to win the support of a majority of the members who will be elected by people across the island.
“The government I would lead will address the big issues; the increasing cost of living, delivering more affordable housing, improving our services, whilst restraining public spending, building our hospital, supporting business and protecting our natural environment.”
While she is standing for election as an independent candidate, Senator Moore is part of the ‘Better Way’ movement. The group describe themselves as a set of “likeminded candidates…who are committed to working together in a transparent fashion”.
Pictured: Members of the 'Better Way' movement.
The Senator said she had opted to avoid party politics as she wanted to “work with other candidates who are committed to delivering for Jersey and getting things done” and seek “the best ideas, rather than following political dogma.”
“While I understand why many are drawn to the ideas of parties, Jersey has always valued independent voice, actions and ideas and there are other ways to achieve effective collaboration,” she said.
Jersey's election is taking place on 22 June.
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There is no doubt in my mind that Senator Moore would try and do this difficult role, however without party politics it is difficult to get a "one mind vision".
Whilst she has done an admirable job as Chair of the Scrutiny Liaison Committee, it is far more difficult to lay down policy than it is to query others work, after the event.
I would need to know HOW she expects to complete her aims and promises before I gave my vote.
As the other contributors, I agree The Chief Minister should be chosen by the Public on an Island wide vote ~ and not be "friends" who sit in the chamber.