The three ministers at the heart of the matter are all unhappy at the interpretation placed on the review by the Chief Minister. There are also other aspects of the Chief Minister’s statement that require clarification.
Since 2005 Jersey’s ministerial government has been set out in the States of Jersey Law whereby the Chief Minister is required to publish a list of the functions of each minister. These functions can be changed with the consent of the States Assembly.
There have been eight separate sets of regulations amending and transferring functions between ministers. The last of these amendments contained the changes relating to the Jersey Innovation Fund. A delay of over a year between the first steps to make this change and its final approval is likely to have played a significant factor in the ensuing confusion.
The expert review of political involvement notes that investigating the reasons for this delay did not form part of its remit. However, the review does suggest that ‘consideration should be given to whether a method of streamlining decisions as to the relevant responsibilities of ministers and departments could be found’.
Ironically, a key argument for introducing ministerial government was to streamline decision making.
Now, the Chief Minister suggests that the system needs changing again to keep government working ‘for the benefit of Islanders’ and he has proposed that he alone should define and amend the role of each minister. This would concentrate significant power in a single individual. Whatever the truth behind the JIF fiasco, this power grab by the Chief Minister suggests that the rumours that he will stand for a third term may have some substance.
Unless ministers are voted for Island-wide on the basis of policies that they would expect to be given the opportunity to carry out if given the job, then there is no way that a Chief Minister chosen by his peers has the democratic legitimacy to act on behalf of all Islanders unless he is the leader of a political party and standing on a party manifesto.
After six years of Gorst Government, a long-term vision that sustainably balances environmental and social policies with the economy is still awaited.
