A WEEK after successfully bringing the vote of no confidence which unseated Chief Minister Kristina Moore, Deputy Tom Binet has confirmed his support for Deputy Lyndon Farnham when Deputy Moore’s successor is chosen on Thursday.
At the same time as throwing his weight behind Deputy Farnham amid a vow from the duo to complete the new hospital project, Deputy Binet launched a broadside at rival candidate Deputy Ian Gorst, who he accused of showing a lack of leadership.
And while describing his relationship with Reform Jersey leader Sam Mézec as “very sound”, Deputy Binet added that “my political position is more centrist [than Deputy Mézec’s], which would make support for his leadership slightly difficult”.
Deputy Binet, a former Infrastructure Minister who resigned from his role as he lodged the no confidence motion on 2 January, initially intended to stand for the top job himself, only to make an embarrassing miscalculation prior to the deadline for nominations about how many fellow members were supporting his candidacy.
Deputy Binet said: “I have observed Deputy Gorst in a leadership role on two previous occasions and have now worked with him, quite closely, for 18 months. Whilst I would be happy to continue to work with him in his role as a fellow minister, but I would not be prepared to work under his leadership.
“On too many occasions Deputy Gorst has failed to call things out and deal with them accordingly when he has known them to be wrong, preferring to paper over the cracks.
“Most recently, in the vote of no confidence, he sought to defend the Chief Minister, despite his own misgivings – but as soon as this attempt failed, he grasped the opportunity to put himself forward for the post, in open contradiction of recent statements that he had no intention of doing so.”
Deputy Binet said that after bringing the “VoNC” it would be hypocritical if he was to enter a Gorst-led government.
Responding to Deputy Binet’s comments, Deputy Gorst said: “I realise that on both sides of last week’s vote of no confidence there were people saying they could not work with the opposing side. I believe it’s important that we have the vote [on Thursday] and then, whoever is successful, all individuals think about how to work to put Jersey first.”
Giving his views on his preferred candidate in Thursday’s election, Deputy Binet said: “Deputy Farnham contacted me with a serious offer to assist him in shaping an improved future for the people of the Island.
“Much has been reviewed since then, and a great deal of common ground established.
“With regard to the obvious potential stumbling block, the new hospital, it is clear that Deputy Farnham accepts that the current new hospital facilities project is now the only way forward and that, henceforth, it will receive his full support – he has recently made a categorical statement to that effect.
“Critically, in the event that his candidacy proves successful, he is extremely keen for me to return to the task of completing the project, and this I am happy to do.”
