Nine key posts in a new era of politics

The Island’s new political leader can claim to have the backing of a very sound majority of the new Assembly, but he will also need a measure of good luck in his new role, for the background against which he takes over cannot be described as smooth, stable or comfortable.

Some see the former Treasury Minister’s preferment as the mere perpetuation of the old order and as a slap in the face for those who still oppose his principal political creation, the goods and services tax. Few, however, have any doubts about the power of his intellect, his quiet determination or his ability to see a job through to its end.

It is also highly significant that Senator Le Sueur has promised a new era of government, saying that he will adopt a more collegiate approach than his predecessor, former Senator Frank Walker. If this more consensual approach can be achieved and a Council of Ministers that incorporates a wider range of opinion and ideological orientation formed, we should be able to look forward to an administration that is far more inclusive, pays due attention to contrary views and public opinion, and draws appropriate inspiration from all parts of the political spectrum.

Tomorrow in the States, Senator Le Sueur will begin putting his promises into action when he proposes his first line-up of ministers. The process of filling these nine key posts will determine to a large degree whether the aim of creating a wider-ranging collection of talents nevertheless capable of working effectively together for the interests of all Islanders in a radically changed international climate can be achieved.

His proposals, announced today, include some welcome nominations and some disappointing ones. Certainly, there is little sign overall of any significant change of direction, but Senator Le Sueur would no doubt argue that it would be foolish to rock too violently a political and economic boat which remains on a rather more even keel than several comparable ones.

That balancing act – change with stability – will test Senator Le Sueur’s political skills to the limit. To help him, he has turned to a number of the politicians who did well in this year’s elections, notably poll-topper Ian Le Marquand, who made clear throughout the campaign his ambition of becoming Home Affairs Minister. Although he may not be unchallenged, he has the strongest claim to the job, a crucial part of which will be to restore the credibility, morale and public accountability of the States police. He will be a vital new part of the administration in all respects, not least in terms of the intellectual weight he will add.

Similarly, Senator Alan Maclean’s proposed election as Economic Development Minister would be a logical promotion and a fair reward for his showing at the poll, as would the appointment at Health and Social Services of Senator Paul Routier, a capable and highly regarded Member with a strong degree of public trust.

The Chief Minister’s nomination of Senator Freddie Cohen to continue as Environment Minister is also a sound one. Senator Cohen, who has clearly identified the role as the limit of his political ambition, has done a good job in a famously difficult area and now is not the time to disrupt the Waterfront planning process any further.

Another key role is that of Treasury Minister, for which Senator Le Sueur has nominated his former No 2 at the old Finance and Economics Committee, Senator Philip Ozouf. If he is successful, Senator Ozouf’s performance will be one of the most important and interesting to monitor over the next three years. The crucial question is whether he can persuade Members tomorrow that he is the man to get to grips with the control of States spending, the nettle which the old Council of Ministers, in which he was a senior and influential figure, sought to spin instead of to grasp.

At Social Security, Deputy Ian Gorst clearly has the credentials to succeed, although it is a shame that, if he was going to seek ministerial office, he did not also seek an Island mandate at last month’s Senatorial elections.

Elsewhere, Senator Le Sueur’s nominations look much more questionable or disappointing, or both. Given his stated desire to establish a broader church, it is strange, for example, that there is no ministry proposed for Senator Breckon, his defeated rival for the top job and a seasoned politician whose approach and background would suggest a credible candidacy for any of Housing, Social Security or Transport and Technical Services.

The Chief Minister’s preference for keeping Senator Terry Le Main at Housing should be rejected. It is not possible to talk about change and then leave in place one of the easier ministries to change. In addition, Senator Le Main has blotted his copybook by railroading through countryside rezoning for housing in advance of the new Island Plan and by his knee-jerk proposal to reduce the housing qualifications by two years in response to a housing market readjusting to new economic circumstances.

And with all due respect, Senator Le Sueur’s candidate for Education, Deputy James Reed, is simply not credible. Deputy Reed, who did not even have to face the electorate in his own parish this time round, lacks both the experience and the public support needed for this important and challenging role. There must be a better candidate – possible in the person of the Constable of St Helier, Simon Crowcroft, who is said to be attracted by the prospect.

It would certainly make sense for Senator Le Sueur to find some imaginative way to bring Mr Crowcroft, the leading contender to become Chief Minister in three years’ time, into his team at this stage, if not as a minister then perhaps as Assistant Chief Minster, or simply by virtue of his conspicuously successful tenure as head of the Island’s capital.

Also from the ranks of the Constables, Mike Jackson of St Brelade is meanwhile a credible low-key candidate for Transport and Technical Services, the proverbial poisoned chalice which, presumably, has deterred any takers from among the more ‘political’ of our politicians.

It should not be forgotten, though, that the line-up is far from cut and dried. Rival candidates will be nominated for many of the ministries when the States meet tomorrow and there are other very significant positions to be filled by assistant ministers, offering a clear opportunity to employ the wave of new talent brought into the House by the recent elections, and members of Scrutiny.

There are also interesting questions to be answered about the roles that will be played by Senators left out of the Chief Minister’s plans, such as Jim Perchard, Ben Shenton and Sarah Ferguson, and by Deputy Geoff Southern, the senior member of what is now the largest single-party grouping in the States for 60 years.

Harnessing this array of opinion and ability for the greater public good is the challenge now facing the new Chief Minister – and the hard work begins

tomorrow.