Chief Minister To Face Confidence Vote

Jersey's Chief Minister is to face a vote of no confidence, brought by one of her ministerial colleagues.

Deputy Tom Binet has lodged a motion of no confidence in Deputy Kristina Moore.

It asks the States Assembly to decide whether they 'have no confidence in the Chief Minister'.

The motion has been signed by Deputy Mary Le Hegarat, Deputy Rose Binet and Deputy Andy Howell.

It's understood Deputy Tom Binet has resigned as Infrastructure Minister to bring the VONC, and that Deputy Rose Binet has also left her position as Assistant Health Minister.

Deputy Tom Binet introduced his proposal saying the beginning of a new year provides the Assembly 'with the opportunity to review the quality of our leadership over the last 18 months and decide whether a change might be to the benefit of the future well-being of our island.'

"It is important for Members to be assured that the decision to bring this Proposition has not been taken lightly; indeed, it comes after much thought and discussion over a period of months, a great deal of careful consideration, and following requests for it by several other Members with similar concerns."

The reason he gives for bringing the attempt to oust the CM is that 'many of the heady promises made by our current Chief Minister... have failed to materialise.'

Deputy Tom Binet says morale amongst States Members is 'very poor' and that the 'same can be said of many members of the public'.

He quotes some of the reasons Deputy Moore gave for bringing her own vote of no confidence in her predecessor Senator John Le Fondre is 2020.

"One has to ask whether “the culture of the organisation that serves the public” has actually been “restored”. And has our Chief Minister really displayed “values and integrity” and “put Jersey back on track”?

Have we witnessed “a smooth transition offering certainty, clarity and a vision that will make islanders proud again”? Has this Chief Minister acted “with selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness and honesty”? Moreover, has the Chief Minister displayed “leadership”?"

Deputy Tom Binet also takes aim at Deputy's Moore handling of former States CEO Suzanne Wylie's resignation last March.

A month later, tense email exchanges were published between Deputies Moore and Binet revealing hostile relations between the pair.

Deputy Binet's proposition puts the matter back in the spotlight. saying  the CM was 'less than honest about the reasons' for her departure, and 'displayed a complete lack of integrity and exemplified the woeful lack of leadership skill that has been evident on many occasions'.

"Having witnessed the highly inappropriate treatment of the CEO (and others), by the Chief Minister, and the resulting deterioration of the CEO’s frame of mind over the course of the eight or so months that she worked under the current regime, there is no doubt as to the real reason for the departure."

Next in the frame as justification for the no confidence vote is the project to deliver a new hospital, which Deputy Binet has had leadership of in his position as Infrastructure Minister.  Here, Deputy Binet further exposes the long-suggested divisions in the Council of Ministers.

"...by way of example, mention must be made of the two highest risks that have been suffered by the New Hospital Facilities project to date; that of the Chief Minister’s poor and inconsistent leadership and her strong, unwavering, support for a Health Minister (Deputy Karen Wilson) (technically, the client) whose attitude towards the project, and whose conduct throughout, has been nothing short of shameful."

Deputy Binet also cites the recent resignation from the COM of Constable Andy Jehan:

"It may only be speculation, but many onlookers were left with the impression that the resignation of a highly capable and trustworthy supporter was easier to manage than the difficult business of taking a decision to remove and replace an inappropriate Minister."

In summary, Deputy Binet says:

"The past eighteen months have been a depressing affair for many, close to the centre of power, and this includes those involved from a civil service perspective. It has also been a time of disappointment for the people of Jersey.

Our present Council of Ministers consists of a good number of capable people, but they lack the one thing that (in most cases) could bring out the best in them. And that is leadership. In recent times more fractures have emerged with no sign whatever of matters improving. Indeed, they worsen by the week.

If Jersey is to face an uncertain and challenging future successfully, that needs to be corrected without further delay."

The government and Deputy Moore are yet to comment on the confidence motion, which could be debated at the next States sitting on 16 January.

Last month, Guernsey's Chief Minister Deputy Peter Ferbrache lost a similar confidence motion and was replaced by Deputy Lyndon Trott.