THREE politicians have put themselves forward to be the Island’s next Chief Minister.
By 5pm today – the cut-off point for Members to declare – former Economic Development Minister Lyndon Farnham; Reform Jersey leader Deputy Sam Mézec and Treasury Minister and former Chief Minister Ian Gorst had officially registered their candidacy.
Former Infrastructure Minister Tom Binet – who brought the no-confidence motion in Chief Minister Kristina Moore – was forced to pull out after failing to get enough Members to back his nomination.
Only five Members – his sister, Deputy Rose Binet, along with Deputies Mary Le Hegerat, Andy Howell and Barbara Ward and Constable Mike Jackson – supported his candidacy, leaving him one short of the minimum requirement.
The candidates:
Deputy Sam Mezec: Nomination backed by the nine other members of Reform
Setting out his vision for the Island, he said that the government needed to get to grips with the housing crisis and focus on “commonsense proposals” to reduce carbon emissions.
He added that it was essential that ministers worked to “restore faith and confidence in government, which can only be achieved by adopting a very different approach to the previous government”.
He added: “Following 18 months of dysfunctionality and inaction, the States Assembly now has an opportunity to reset and deliver the kind of government the people of Jersey deserve.
“For the remainder of this term of office, we need to establish a government that will make up for lost time and get our Island back on track, turning us away from the terminal decline that successive governments have taken us towards the brink of.”
Deputy Lyndon Farnham: Nomination backed by Constables Simon Crowcroft (St Helier), Richard Honeycombe (St Ouen), Philip Le Sueur (Trinity), Kevin Lewis (St Saviour), Marcus Troy (St Clement) and Richard Vibert (St Peter)
Announcing his intention to stand in an email to States Members, Deputy Farnham wrote: “I would like to start with a clean sheet and bring together a new team to work to heal the problems that we have faced.
“We do have only a little over two years to achieve this and I believe my political experience will be an important factor in achieving that objective.”
Speaking to the JEP after announcing his candidacy, Deputy Farnham said: “I believe my extensive political experience across a range of roles stands me in good stead to heal the Assembly.
“We do have only a little over two years to achieve this and I believe my political experience will be an important factor in achieving that objective.”
Deputy Ian Gorst (nomination signed by Deputies Helen Miles, Malcolm Ferey, Lucy Stephenson, Steve Ahier, Louise Doublet, Inna Gardiner, David Warr, Kristina Moore, Steve Luce, Kirsten Morel, Elaine Millar, Max Andrews and Constables David Johnson and Deidre Mezbourian
In his nomination paper, he said: “We are living in challenging and turbulent times, both locally and further afield.
“We face a number of significant economic and societal challenges which we must address if Jersey is to continue to enjoy the prosperity of previous years, and if our success is to be shared across the community.
“Our challenges are great enough without making life harder for ourselves internally. Jersey’s reputation is built on stability, confidence and competitiveness. We will restore and maintain our reputation for all three without delay, and I will work with Members across the Assembly to achieve the change that is necessary to do so.
“Without doing so, we won’t be able to improve the standard of living for all Islanders.”
*Electing a new Chief Minister: What happens next? CLICK HERE
