A FORMER Chief Minister is to stand for election as an independent candidate – and wants to keep his current External Relations portfolio.
Senator Ian Gorst has outlined his intentions for the June general election and confirmed that he will be seeking one of the four Deputy seats in the newly formed District 1 comprising St Peter, St Ouen and St Mary. Senator Kristina Moore and JEP assistant editor Lucy Stephenson have already confirmed their candidacy in the district.
Senator Gorst served two terms as Chief Minister before being beaten to the job by Senator John Le Fondré in 2018. Since then Senator Gorst, who has been a Member of the States Assembly since 2005, has held the position of External Relations Minister.
He said that he has ‘unfinished business’ in his current role and added that while he would consider other ministerial positions if a new Chief Minister wanted him to, he wants to return to his existing position.
‘I am pleased to be running for Deputy of St Peter, St Ouen and St Mary.
‘Over the past four years, I have promoted and defended Jersey’s interests on the international stage, including dealing with the challenges presented by Brexit and growing our financial services industry. This vital work must continue, and we need States Members who can offer experience and leadership to stand up for Jersey.
‘We must deal with the housing crisis and the emerging cost of living crisis, ensuring that Jersey is an affordable Island for current and future generations. This requires immediate and positive action with engagement across the community.
‘I am and remain an independent candidate. If elected, I will continue to argue for controlled public spending, lower taxes and less borrowing.’
Ahead of the last election campaign in 2018, Senator Gorst said that, if elected as Chief Minister, this term of office would be his last.
Explaining why he was seeking re-election, he added: ‘I had intended this term to be my last if I’d have been Chief Minister, but I have been in a different role for the last four years, focusing on making the case for Jersey in the UK, Europe and further afield, and I believe I still have a contribution to make in completing our vital ongoing work.’
This year’s election will be the first contested following reforms to the composition of the States Assembly. Under the new voting structure, the Islandwide office of Senator will be scrapped. Instead, the Assembly will be made up of the 12 parish Constables and 37 Deputies across nine newly formed districts.
