Senator John Le Fondré said the Island’s only political party – along with other ministers – had submitted its views for consideration as part of a feedback process on the next steps of the government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Chief Minister said that process had been ‘informal’ and that all views would be considered in due course.
Deputy Kirsten Morel took to social media earlier this week and said: ‘Am hearing that Reform Jersey are trying to get the CM to enter into another dodgy deal. They’ve presented him with their manifesto for recovery and have said “support this or we stop supporting you”.
A response issued by the Chief Minister’s office said: ‘The Chief Minister is putting in place a framework for economic recovery, and soundings have been sought from all ministers about the future direction of the Island, particularly in coming out of the current crisis, which was the focus of an in-depth discussion at a recent Council of Ministers meeting.
‘The Chief Minister has received views from Reform Jersey and other ministers (both written and verbal) as part of this feedback process, but at this stage this has been of an informal nature only. All views will be considered in due course, as has always been the case, for example in both the Common Strategic Policy and the previous Government Plan.’
Two years ago Senator Le Fondré apologised for failing to disclose that he had signed an agreement with Reform Jersey before the election for Chief Minister was held.
Reform Jersey’s only politician around the Council of Ministers’ table, Senator Sam Mézec, meanwhile, rubbished claims that the party had threatened to withdraw its support for Senator Le Fondré if he did not back the group’s manifesto for recovery. He described the assertion as ‘nonsense’.
Last month Reform Jersey’s chairperson, Lyndsay Feltham, wrote to the government asking for answers on a number of points and raised concerns over matters related to Covid-19 matters.
