THE next Chief Minister could be chosen by the public in an election-day poll next year, if a proposition by a former Chief Minister is approved.
Deputy Kristina Moore has lodged a proposition calling for future Chief Ministers be directly elected by Islanders.
Deputy Moore wants the changes to be brought in ahead of the election next year.
Deputy Moore said: “This change should boost public engagement in the elections and offer the electorate a greater level of transparency regarding the future leadership of the Island by conducting a simple poll on the day of the general election.
“The poll will mean that contenders for the position of Chief Minister will have to state their intention prior to the election and run an island-wide campaign.”
If her proposition is approved, all prospective candidates intending to stand for the role of Chief Minister would have to declare their intention when they submit their nomination form as a senatorial candidate in the general election.
A poll of these candidates would then be conducted in parallel with the general election to establish who the electorate would prefer as Chief Minister.
The results of this poll of candidates for Chief Minister would be “binding”, and the successful candidate would become Chief Minister designate upon their taking the oath of office as a States Member following the general election.
In the “unlikely scenario” where a candidate wins the poll for Chief Minister but fails to be elected, the candidate who came second in the poll would take post instead.
Deputy Moore – who herself was ousted at Chief Minister in a vote-of-no confidence – suggested that, if a successful vote of no confidence is brought in the Chief Minister, a further public poll would be conducted to elect a new Chief Minister.
She explained: “It is anticipated that in the case of a political party, the party will put their leader forward in this poll to truly test their popularity across the Island.
“If they hold a sufficient level of popularity, they should also see their leader supported in this poll.
“Candidates who do not belong to a party, but feel they have the ability and the experience to be the next Chief Minister would also be able to add their name to the poll.”
The former Chief Minister also pointed to a key finding of the Democratic Accountability and Governance Sub-Committee’s 2022 report which stated: “Accountability of the role of Chief Minister within the public arena is lacking as voters do not have a say on who should be elected to the role. Voters should be provided with the opportunity to indicate their preferred candidate for Chief Minister during the voting process.”
She added: “Giving the public the power to choose the future leadership and therefore the vision and direction of the island should enhance voter interest and turnout, as the result will be binding on the new Assembly.”
Deputy Moore concluded: “A poll for Chief Minister will pose a specific question to the electorate.
“It will ask them to consider who they think has the qualities and vision that they would like to see lead the Island.
“It is, of course, possible that an individual with no political experience might be elected and, if this were the case, it is anticipated that the electorate would have made the decision based on the clear leadership qualities of the candidate who would be supported by the professional civil service in the transition.
“After many years of interviewing a wide range of people from all walks of life, I have absolute confidence in the ability of the voting public to exercise the discernment required to engage in this poll.”
