VONC 'Worst Kept Secret In Jersey Politics'

A vote of no confidence in the in Chief Minister has been the 'worst kept secret in Jersey politics', according to the leader of Reform Jersey.

Deputy Sam Mezec says the party is disappointed but not surprised that ex-Infrastructure Minister, Deputy Tom Binet, has lodged a motion of no confidence in his former boss.

Reform Jersey has written to Deputy Kristina Moore, inviting her to crisis talks ahead of the vote on 16 January.

"We are going to need very strong assurances on the political agenda to deal with the growing inequality in Jersey.

That is the number one concern that Reform Jersey has.  For over a decade, the rich have got richer, the poor have got poorer and the middle have been squeezed to the point where many islanders feel they don't have a prosperous future here.

It has to be said that the response from this government has been pretty woeful on that."

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗲 𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗮𝗿𝗲.

Reform Jersey has written to the Chief Minister to request an urgent meeting to discuss our concerns and seek assurances on how she will work with us to change the direction of travel of the government.#VoNC pic.twitter.com/jyabpn9fwR

— Reform Jersey (@ReformJersey) January 3, 2024

In the letter, Deputy Mezec says that 'things cannot continue as they are', but has stopped short of saying the party will support the motion.

"We are not interested in any political game playing, the only reason we are in politics at all is to try and improve the life of islanders and to implement our election manifesto.

We have to use the time in the run-up to the debate to work out what really is in the best interest of the island.

Is it to leave things exactly as they are, is it to get rid of the Chief Minister and then have uncertainty of who and what replaces her, or is to offer what we can do as a party to help the Chief Minister to improve the performance of her government?

The ball is now in her court. It is down to her to respond to this and offer islanders and States Members as to what she is going to do. It depends on that for how Reform Jersey determines what will be in the best interest of the public."

If the motion is successful, Deputy Binet has already confirmed he will put himself forward for the top job. Deputy Sam Mezec says he will consider going against him.

"We, as party, believe are the most capable of leading a government in Jersey because of how united we are, and because of how detailed for Jersey is, and I would relish the opportunity to lead that government and taking Jersey in a different direction to what we have seen in recent years."

The vote takes place on 16 January.