Following hours of debate in the States, the proposition, brought by Constable Chris Taylor, was lost 34 votes to 13.
Members finally voted shortly before 8.15 pm.
Minutes after the debate, Senator Gorst tweeted: ‘I am very grateful for the support of Members of @StatesAssembly – I hope we can now work to complete this government’s programme of work.’
Economic Development Minister Lyndon Farnham also tweeted: ‘Debate ends at 2015hrs Senator @Ian_Gorst wins the confidence of the States @StatesAssembly by 34 votes to 13. Time to move on #JerseyFirst’
Mr Taylor said he lodged the motion for three main reasons:
* Concerns over the Jersey Innovation Fund, which handed out more than £2m in loans to start-ups – £1.4m of which may never be repaid.
* The repeated stalling of plans to fund the new hospital.
* The initial reappointment of Senator Philip Ozouf, who resigned as an Assistant Chief Minister following the Innovation Fund report. The Senator was dismissed just hours before today’s debate.
But in a speech to the Assembly, Senator Gorst urged Members to unite behind him and allow him to continue his term of office.
He said: ‘The job I have been doing on behalf of this Assembly can be said to be the best of jobs and worst of jobs.
‘I ask Members when they get to the vote to ask themselves that question.
‘It should be, as much as I may find it difficult personally, about whether this Assembly wishes me to continue and complete this term of office and allow the electorate to pass judgment.
‘We live, sir, in the best of times and the worst of times, the best of days and the worst of days.
‘I don’t want too many more days like this. I want us to move from the worst of days and continue to deliver for the best of days.’
