Jersey's politicians line up to replace ousted chief minister

Chief Minister Kristina Moore lost her role after 27 States members supported the no-confidence vote

Politicians in Jersey have been reacting to the chief minister losing a vote of no confidence (VONC).

Jersey's 49 politicians voted Deputy Kristina Moore out of office in a late ballot on Tuesday, by 27 votes to 22.

She said she was "deeply disappointed" members "put personal relationships ahead of what is right for the island".

Three deputies have declared enough signatures from States members to be nominated for the role.

Deputy Tom Binet, who brought the VONC against Ms Moore, failed to declare he had enough signatures by the 17:00 GMT deadline, and so cannot run for the position.

He said he had miscounted: "I'm happy to accept if you can't count to six, you shouldn't be putting your name forward", adding that it was now "18 months of work down the drain".

He said he had not slept for two nights due to the VONC, and so he was "absolutely exhausted".

Among those standing is Deputy Lyndon Farnham, a former deputy chief minister has been nominated for the role by six members - the minimum number needed to move forward.

Deputy Ian Gorst, former minister for treasury and resources, has the most nomination signatures, with 14.

• What caused the fall of Jersey's chief minister?

• First female chief minister of Jersey voted out of role

• Chief minister vote of no confidence explained

Deputy Sam Mezec is leader of the Reform party, the biggest political party on the island, with all nine party members supporting him.

He said: "I think the example we've shown in how we work will hopefully mean that people have more faith in working with us, to deliver Jersey the government that it deserves."

States members will debate and elect the new chief minister during a States meeting on Thursday 25 January.

Mr Crowroft said he would not be standing for the position of Chief Minister

'No option'

St Peter constable Richard Vibert resigned as assistant minister for children and education and treasury and resources during the debate on Tuesday, after changing his mind about supporting Ms Moore.

Mr Vibert said he had "no option" but to support the vote of no confidence - because he thought the council had lost its way in helping the people of Jersey.

St Helier constable Simon Crowroft said it was a "very sad evening" for Ms Moore, who he said had put "a huge amount of work" into being chief minister since July 2022.

He said he did not plan on standing for the position of chief minister.

Patrick Lynch said the new council of ministers needed to address the issue of poverty in Jersey

The CEO of charity Caritas Patrick Lynch said going forward, there had to be a "realisation" that poverty was "a huge issue" on the island - and it needed needed to be addressed by the new council.

He said: "There is a lot of fear, there is a lot of hurt out there - people are really struggling, these are I would say unprecedented times.

"The difficulties people are facing are being underestimated and I think the first person to grasp that was Richard Vibert yesterday."

Adam Budworth, president of the chamber of commerce, said too much change to the current council of ministers could put Jersey "in a very difficult position".

He said: "I would hope some of those that sat on the council in a ministerial role or assistant minister would keep their role if asked.

"There are some very experienced and capable people in some of those roles."

'Deeply disappointed'

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."

Under States rules, a new political leader will need to be in place no later than seven clear working days following the VONC.

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