"We look forward to rebuilding the team"

Wednesday 03 January 2024

The Chief Minister has said the Council of Ministers is looking "forward to rebuilding" as she spoke out for the first time after her former Infrastructure Minister made an official push to oust her from the top job last night.

Deputy Kristina Moore, who will face a no confidence vote on 16 December, described Deputy Tom Binet as "a driven and committed Jerseyman".

She said that Ministerial colleagues had "tried their best" to work with him in order to push forward with the new hospital project, but noted that "compromise is required" in what she described as a "large coalition government".

In a strongly worded report outlining his reasons for bringing the motion, Deputy Binet criticised Deputy Moore's style and quality of leadership and said the last 18 months had been a "depressing affair for many close to the centre of power". The Deputy confirmed that he would stand for Chief Minister if he won the motion.

Pictured: Deputy Binet officially lodged the no confidence vote motion last night.

Deputy Binet's key criticisms revolved around the Chief Minister's handling of former CEO Suzanne Wylie's departure, how the £120m Broad Street development became "personalised" and her support for the recently reprimanded Health Minister, whose support for the hospital project he described as "shameful".

In today's statement, Deputy Moore did not address any of the specific criticisms, but said that the government remained focused on "investing in our health and education services, supporting islanders through these challenging times, and delivering on our priorities: housing, the cost of living, and recruitment and retention, so that families can thrive in our strong island community."

She confirmed that former Assistant Minister Deputy Rose Binet – who has given her backing to the motion alongside Deputies Mary Le Hegarat and Andy Howell – had been replaced by Constable Marcus Troy, but did not name her preferred Infrastructure Minister successor.

The statement in full...

The New Year is always a good time to start afresh and whilst the Council of Ministers is disappointed to receive the resignation of Deputy Tom Binet, we look forward to rebuilding the team after the vote of no confidence, which will take place at the next States Assembly sitting on 16 January.

Deputy Tom Binet is a driven and committed Jerseyman. I nominated him as Minister for Infrastructure because we need to get homes built and essential infrastructure renewed. However, we are also in a large coalition government and compromise is required.

We are a diverse team around the table because we believe in listening and playing to people's strengths. We have tried our best to work with Deputy Tom Binet, particularly because we believe that delivering the hospital project is one of the most important things the public want us to achieve, and we have a plan to do so.

Our focus remains on doing just that, along with investing in our health and education services, supporting islanders through these challenging times, and delivering on our priorities: housing, the cost of living, and recruitment and retention, so that families can thrive in our strong island community.

As Chief Minister, I will now make a nomination to ask the Assembly to appoint a new Minister for Infrastructure.

Deputy Rose Binet has also resigned as Assistant Health Minister and is immediately replaced by Connétable Marcus Troy.