Jersey's chief minister vote of no confidence debate under way

Deputy Kristina Moore said she wanted the states to focus on policies rather than personalities

The debate on whether or not the chief minister keeps her role has started.

The former Minister for Infrastructure Deputy Tom Binet has brought the vote, claiming there is a lack of leadership under Deputy Kristina Moore.

Jersey's only political party, Reform Jersey, said it would be backing the vote of no confidence (VONC) against Ms Moore.

Ms Moore said she wanted the states to focus on policies rather than personalities.

Following the debate, Jersey's 49 politicians will vote on whether they want her to continue as chief minister, or not.

The vote is not expected to take place until Tuesday evening.

'A big day'

Prior to the States sitting beginning, Ms Moore said the government was "committed to making a positive difference to the lives of islanders".

She said: "That's why we have our five priorities for the year ahead with their underpinning deliverables, we want to get on with doing just that - there's plenty to do.

"I appreciate there will be people listening carefully to the debate, I hope the debate will focus on the outcomes islanders want to see and not personalities.

"When we look at the reasons for bringing this vote of no confidence, it seems grounded in some personality battle - islanders don't want to see that."

Ms Moore said islanders wanted the government to "focus on what's really important", and "what will make a difference to them".

"That is the cost of living, housing, productivity and growing our economy, investing in our health service and our education service and delivering better outcomes for our island children, and that's what we want to do," she said.

In her opening speech to the assembly, Ms Moore said now was "not the time to slam on the brakes, get out of the car and start looking for a new means of transport".

Ms Moore said "stability and confidence" were "central to our success", and asked members "not to put that stability at risk".

She said: "One of our values is always improving, we are all a work in progress, always learning.

"I know that I don't get everything right - who does?"

Deputy Tom Binet has brought the vote, claiming there is woeful lack of leadership under Deputy Kristina Moore

Asked how much support he had managed to secure as he entered the States Assembly, Mr Binet said he thought the results would be "very marginal".

He said: "I think we could be there to within a vote or two - my experience suggests to me that things are wrong, if things are wrong and they continue to be wrong then things get worse.

"I feel it's a duty to step in and try and do something about it because I don't think things are good... this is an opportunity for them [States members] to decide what they want to do."

In his opening speech to the assembly, Mr Binet said he refuted allegations that he had brought the VONC forward due to misogyny.

He said recent comments by ministers in relation to the vote had been "rather rude and quite unnecessary", and claimed members of government were "reluctant to face reality".

Mr Binet also criticised Ms Moore's alleged treatment of former CEO, Suzanne Wylie - claiming he saw Ms Wylie "leaving the CM's office in tears", and witnessed Ms Moore addressing Ms Wylie "in a disgraceful manner in front of her team".

Ms Moore responded to the allegation in her opening speech, saying she and Ms Wylie "never fell out", and insisted they had a "professional relationship".

'The right person'

Speaking to ministers prior to the debate, Deputy Karen Wilson said she would "of course" be supporting Ms Moore.

She said: "We've got a great plan, it's time for unity, we have to dig deeper in the middle of a cost of living crisis - islanders can't afford for us to be distracted from that, we're committed to actually delivering on our promises."

Deputy Malcolm Ferey also said he would support Ms Moore.

He said: "She's the right person to lead our island, she's the right person to lead this government - I have full confidence in her ability and I have full confidence in the people around her.

"Whichever way you slice this, it's going to be close, there's no doubt about that, but I do think we've got enough people to get her over the line."

Sam Mezec, Reform Jersey leader, said change was needed

Reform Jersey leader Sam Mezec said things would not improve unless there was a change in leadership.

He said: "We felt that no matter what good faith approaches we make and policy proposals we offer them, there are people who are sat round that table who are determined to do nothing.

"If the chief minister won't overrule them and get things moving and get action, then she's not the right person to lead the government."

'Litany of mistakes'

Deputy Lyndon Farnham said he would "listen to both sides of the story", but that it was "too close to call" the final result.

He said: "Votes of no confidence are never a positive, they never really have good outcomes - if she does win by a very narrow margin then I think she's going to find it difficult to retain order in the government as we move forward.

Mr Farnham said he had initially supported Ms Moore becoming chief minister, but said the past 18 months had been a "litany of mistakes".

"It's clear she is struggling to keep ministerial control," he said.

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