Farnham & Ministers Take Office

Deputy Lyndon Farnham has taken his seat as Jersey's new Chief Minister following the appointment of his Council of Ministers.

It was a clean sweep for Deputy Farnham, with all of his nominations getting their roles.

Nearly all of the appointments were uncontested.

Deputy David Warr put himself up for his previously-held role of Housing Minister, going against the Chief Minister’s choice of Reform party leader Deputy Sam Mezec, but he lost 31 votes to 10.

Outgoing External Relations Minister Phillip Ozouf contested the role against Deputy Farnham's choice of Ian Gorst, but only Deputy Max Andrews voted in favour of Deputy Ozouf.

The new Council of Ministers:

Health Minister - Deputy Tom Binet

Home Affairs Minister - Deputy Mary Le Hegarat

Education Minister - St Peter Constable, Richard Vibert

Housing Minister - Deputy Sam Mezec

Social Security Minister - Deputy Lyndsay Feltham

International Development - Deputy Carolyn Labey 

Infrastructure Minister - St John Constable, Andy Jehan

Environment Minister - Deputy Steve Luce

Economic Development Minister - Deputy Kirsten Morel

Treasury Minister - Deputy Elaine Millar

External Relations - Deputy Ian Gorst

Deputy Lyndon Farnham wants to introduce a 12th minister by splitting the roles of the Education and Children’s minister in two, creating a Children's Minister and Education Minister.

The new Chief Minister will have to make a ministerial order to divide the roles. Deputy Lyndon Farnham has already signalled he would like Deputy Rob Ward to take the Education portfolio and make Richard Vibert, who has taken the joint role in the interim, Children's Minister.

I'm very pleased to see the new role of Minister for Education and lifelong learning being created. And to be nominated when this is complete. Equally Children's Minister with a specific mandate. Gives a key role in COM. I hope the assembly will support these changes.

— 🌈Deputy Rob Ward (Reform Jersey)🌈 (@deputyrobward) January 29, 2024

A number of the former Council of Ministers have remained at the table, with two remaining in their prior posts.

Deputy Carolyn Labey will return to her post as International Development Minister. This will be the third government she has held the role in.

Deputy Kirsten Morel stays as Economic Development Minister.

Deputies Tom Binet, Ian Gorst, and Elaine Millar have also returned, but to different departments.

The orchestrator of the outgoing government's downfall, Deputy Binet, becomes Health Minister and will retain responsibility for the New Healthcare Facilities Project.

Questioned by his colleagues about his ambitions, he said that he hopes to have construction of the acute hospital at Overdale started before the next general election in 2026.

Ian Gorst takes up his previously-held position of External Relations Minister, a role he had during the John Le Fondre administration.

Deputy Gorst took centre stage during the fishing protests of 2021, when French fishermen blockaded St Helier harbour in a row of post Brexit fishing permits.

Philip Ozouf held the office under Kristina Moore’s leadership.

Former Social Security Minister Elaine Millar will take Deputy Gorst's previous role of Treasury Minister, her second ministerial role since first being elected in 2022.

Kristina Moore, the island’s first female Chief Minister, became the first to be ousted mid-term and the shortest serving CM when she lost a confidence vote earlier this month.

Speaking to Channel 103 before today’s meeting to appoint ministers, Deputy Moore said the nominations didn't represent what 'the public elected' in 2022.

"I don't have great hopes for the outcome today.

I find the situation hugely disappointing, but it will be interesting to see if they can all reach agreement and consensus."

Deputy Inna Gardiner, the now ex Education Minister, decided not to fight for her role in the nominations.

Posting online, Deputy Gardiner says she can't be a Minister without being assured that the Chief Minister and his Council will be an effective and cohesive team.

"I will continue to champion for children and education whether I am on a Scrutiny Panel or otherwise.

I now know much more about the complexities and challenges of CYPES and the breadth of services it provides, and I will use thisknowledge to the best of my ability to hold the new Government to account."

The new Council of Ministers will meet for the first time on Thursday.