Reform Will Not Back CM In Confidence Vote

On the eve of a vote that could oust the Chief Minister, Reform Jersey says it will support the motion.

The party says it believes islanders would not forgive its members if they used their ten votes to prop up a government 'characterised by broken promises, dysfunctionality and lacking any clear vision.'

Deputy Kristina Moore was invited to crisis talks by Reform Jersey politicians who said they needed 'very serious assurances'.

"Following two meetings with the Chief Minister, it has become clear that the change that Jersey needs is impossible to achieve under her leadership.

Whilst Jersey faces a severe cost-of-living crisis, record levels of foodbank usage and growing inequality, the government has been beset by dysfunctionality, bullying accusations, and Ministers resigning. 

We therefore offered the Chief Minister an opportunity to reset and consider our policy proposals to turn things around. These proposals were met with little more than nice words from the Chief Minister, and outright hostility from her colleagues."

Former Assistant Chief Minister Constable Andy Jehan has also publicly confirmed he will be voting to remove Deputy Moore from her post.

I have met with the CM today to inform her that I will not be supporting her next week and that I will be voting #Pour next Tuesday in the #VONC pic.twitter.com/KytsOVFXP9

— Andy Jehan 🇯🇪 (@AndyJehan) January 13, 2024

The motion was brought by the now-former Infrastructure Minister, Deputy Tom Binet just after the new year and was co-signed by Deputies Rose Binet, Andy Howell and Mary Le Hegarat.

Shortly after he lodged the vote, he told us a 'chain of events' brought him to making the decision.

"The tensions started to emerge when I witnessed the treatment of the former Chief Executive, which was poor at best.

I was annoyed when it was claimed by the Chief Minister that the CEO was going back to Ireland to be with her family, which clearly wasn't the case.

You have to say to yourself that enough is enough and that was the point I reached over Christmas."

Deputy Kristina Moore says changing the Council of Ministers at this point is a distraction that will take months to fix, and they want to crack on and finish what's been started.

"A lot of this debate seems to be focused on personalities and personal opinion.

What we need to focus on, and I think what the public wants to see States Members focus on is policy, direction and delivery.

That's what motivates the remaining Council of Ministers and that's what we're determined to get done."

The Chief Minister needs a simple majority, 25, of the Chamber to vote 'Contre' to stay in post.

If Deputy Moore loses the top job then she will stay on as Chief Minister and States Members can put themselves forward to replace Deputy Moore. These must be backed by at least six other members.

A replacement will be chosen at a selection meeting, with the winner able to nominate their preferred Council of Ministers.

If Deputy Moore wins, then a new Infrastructure Minister will be voted in by politicians straight after the confidence debate.