First female chief minister of Jersey voted out of role

Kristina Moore said after the vote: "It never should have come to this"

Jersey's first female chief minister has lost her role following a vote of no confidence (VONC).

Kristina Moore lost the vote with 27 supporting the VONC, 22 against and no abstentions in the States.

The vote was brought by former infrastructure minister Tom Binet, who said he was unhappy with the way decisions were being made.

The States Assembly now has to vote in a new chief minister, who will bring together a new council of ministers.

'Deeply disappointed'

Politicians spent the day debating for and against Ms Moore in the top job, concluding just before 19:45 GMT.

After the vote, Ms Moore told the BBC: "It never should have come to this."

She said: "I'm deeply disappointed that States members have put personal relationships ahead of what is right for the island, particularly when we should be supporting islanders through what is a very challenging economic environment."

She added: "I'm disappointed in myself in not maintaining the confidence of the assembly."

Deputy Binet said afterwards that it had been "a grim day" and something he had "taken no pleasure in at all".

He said: "I believe it is the right outcome, otherwise I wouldn't have done it."

He also confirmed that was planning to stand for the position.

Reform Jersey, which holds 10 of 49 seats in the States, confirmed its members would vote in favour of the VONC

Constable Richard Vibert, an assistant minister, announced during the debate that he was resigning from government in order to back the vote of no confidence.

During the debate, Education Minister Inna Gardiner spoke in support of Ms Moore, questioning if the public wanted the government to "continue to discuss ourselves, or to get on with the job".

She said islanders needed "a team that already knows the brief, a team that is already in the middle of the delivery plan, a team that already knows what they need to do and what they're expected to do".

David Warr, the housing minister, said he did not remember a time when the public said they were "happy with the existing government".

"I think the assembly has worked well together - the evidence is in the recently taken vote on the government plan, which was overwhelmingly supported by this assembly," he said.

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International Development Minister Carolyn Labey described the debate as an "unedifying spectacle which will undoubtedly do Jersey harm".

She said it was "embarrassing" that the VONC was the first debate of 2024.

She said: "The whole island would rather see the elected members show more collaboration than confrontation."

Despite facing public criticism from Ms Moore over her refusal of the Les Sablons development, Deputy Hilary Jeune said she would support her to prioritise "the larger mission over personal politics".

All 10 members of Reform Jersey had confirmed they would be backing the VONC on Monday, after leader Deputy Sam Mezec said the current government had "no vision for taking Jersey forward".

Deputy Steve Luce also backed the VONC, saying the government "should be working together for the benefit of our island".

He said: "Working together is something Deputy Binet gets - he has convinced me there is an alternative way forward.

"We all know that the chief minister's job is not easy, and I certainly accept that; but there are ways to do things and there are ways not to do things."

Deputy Barbara Ward, who was newly voted into the States in 2022, said she had listened to parishioners and islanders and had come to the conclusion that change was "desperately needed".