After the newly elected House decide who will head the Jersey’s new ministerial system of government, the public will never know who their representatives voted for.
The States rejected Deputy Roy Le Hérissier’s amendment to Standing Orders by 29 votes to 17, shooting down the proposition that would have meant all ministerial appointments would be decided on an open ballot.
And one of the candidates for Chief Minister, Senator Frank Walker, abstained from yesterday’s vote, despite previously saying he supported the principle of an open election.
Senator Walker said he had gone into the debate convinced of the need for an open ballot, but that he found the arguments against a lot more convincing than the arguments in favour.
