REFORM Jersey has claimed half of the eight vacancies for chairs of committees and Scrutiny panels in the new States, including a narrow success for party leader Sam Mézec in a role that was previously occupied by the new Chief Minister.
Deputy Mézec was elected as chair of the Corporate Services Scrutiny Panel yesterday, winning 23 votes to the 22 earned by his rival for the post, Constable Mike Jackson. Deputy Kristina Moore, who became Chief Minister this week, was the former chair of the panel.
Deputy Mézec said that his experience during previous work in Scrutiny had shown him that it should not be seen as an opportunity for political point-scoring, and vowed to swap his political hat for his Scrutiny hat where appropriate.
By far the largest party grouping within the new Assembly, Reform put up candidates for all eight positions that were on the agenda, but were defeated in four contested elections.
Deputy Carina Alves was unsuccessful in her attempt to return as chair of the Privileges and Procedures Committee, having served in the role since early 2021, defeated by Constable Karen Shenton-Stone by 28 votes to 21.
Former Environment Minister, Deputy Steve Luce, the only successful electoral candidate from the Progress Party, took on Deputy Rob Ward (Reform) for the role of chair of the Environment, Housing and Infrastructure panel, winning the vote by 24-21.
Two newcomers to the Assembly contested the position of chair of the Economic and International Affairs panel, with independent Moz Scott defeating Reform’s Raluca Kovacs by 24 votes to 19.
Meanwhile, Constable Philip Le Sueur – who retained his Trinity seat running as a candidate for the Jersey Alliance party and is their only sitting Member – saw off a challenge from Reform nominee Deputy Montfort Tadier by 28 votes to 17, the biggest margin of the day.
In addition to Deputy Mézec’s success, Reform candidates were elected unopposed to three roles as chair:
– Deputy Lyndsay Feltham as chair of the Public Accounts Committee.
– Deputy Catherine Curtis as chair of the Children, Young People, Education and Home Affairs Scrutiny Panel.
– Deputy Geoff Southern as chair of the Health and Social Security.
In addition to the 45 Members who took part in the Corporate Services vote, two ministers – the Chief Minister and Treasury Minister – were prevented from voting by Assembly regulations. Two other members, Deputy Louise Doublet and Deputy Philip Ozouf, did not vote.
The Assembly will meet again on Tuesday to complete appointments of the other members who will make up the panels and committees.
– Full coverage of the States sitting can be found on Pages 4 and 5 of today’s JEP.
