“GRATEFUL”, “slightly overwhelmed” and with “no time to celebrate”, Jersey’s newly-elected Chief Minister-designate Lyndon Farnham has already turned his mind to some of the main tasks the next government will be faced with – including delivering the Island’s new hospital.
In the States yesterday, Reform Jersey leader Deputy Sam Mézec dropped out of the race in the first round. His party’s ten votes went to Deputy Farnham in the second round, which was enough for the latter to beat Deputy Ian Gorst by 27 votes to 22.
Speaking after the Assembly voted him into the top job, Deputy Farnham revealed he would be nominating Deputy Tom Binet for Health Minister – with responsibility for the hospital project.
However, he said that he had not yet decided who his preferred choices for any other ministerial portfolios would be.
Deputy Binet – who lodged the no-confidence motion that ultimately ousted Deputy Kristina Moore as Chief Minister – had been overseeing the current plans for the Island’s new healthcare facilities.
Explaining why he wanted him as Health Minister – to replace Deputy Karen Wilson – Deputy Farnham said: “It makes sense to put the hospital – now we are quite advanced with the plans – and health together. It has been problematic when we have seen a Health Minister and the politician responsible for building the hospital not having their thoughts aligned. We have got to put all of that behind us and move forward, so that is one of the nominations that I will be making to the Assembly.
“I have been impressed with the work that Deputy Binet has done and it makes sense not to stall it and to let him carry on. The important thing though is that we get through it and we bring [the hospital project] to the Assembly for approval – it is the Assembly that will make the decision.”
Commenting on whether he had decided his picks for any other ministerial positions, he said: “Not just yet – we need to let the dust settle, sit down around the table and talk it through.”
Reacting to yesterday’s vote, Deputy Farnham continued: “I don’t think there is going to be time to celebrate. I am slightly overwhelmed – who would have thought that after the last election for the new government we would be here now. I am very grateful to my supporters and indeed the majority of the Assembly for putting their confidence in me.”
Referring to Reform Jersey, he added: “We have talked about the principle of working together in a government and when I spoke to Deputy Mézec last week he didn’t know whether they wanted to participate in a new government. But we have worked together on Scrutiny, and we know we can work together. They are representative of 20% of seats in the Assembly so I think that it is perfectly reasonable for them to be involved with the government should they wish.”
Deputy Mézec said: “Deputy Farnham has very clearly said that he wanted to be an inclusive leader, whereas Deputy Gorst had made it clear he wanted to be an exclusive leader and I think that we don’t need that kind of attitude right now, and Lyndon has made those positive overtures; he’s got a few days now to see what kind of cabinet he wants to put together, but those are better intentions so that’s why we felt like we could put our support behind Farnham.”
Deputy Mézec said his political party would be speaking with the new Chief Minister-designate “over the weekend” as to what they could get in return for their support.
He continued: “We are happy to serve in that government. That won’t be at any cost, because we have our own policies and principles and we’re not prepared to become sellouts just for ministerial titles. But we’ll have that conversation and hope we can make that positive difference.”
He said serving in Deputy Farnham’s government would “potentially” require compromise, but added: “Let’s have that conversation. If we can find a way forward for Jersey, then that’s to the benefit of the whole community. We’d rather play our part in that than shout from the sidelines.”
Commenting on whether he was disappointed not to be Chief Minister, he added: “We have a long game to play as a party, Reform Jersey isn’t going anywhere, we’ve conducted ourselves really well throughout the controversies there have been in recent weeks and haven’t tarred ourselves with some of the more nasty elements. We’ve shown what politics in Jersey could and should be like so, maybe it will be third time lucky.”
Deputy Gorst said: “Twenty-seven voted for the vote of no confidence and 27 probably slightly different people voted for Deputy Farnham to be Chief Minister. That’s democracy. I believe in democracy and we’ve seen this in action today.”
Commenting on whether he would work with Deputy Farnham, he said: “I will have to have a conversation with Deputy Farnham – I’ve said all along that I was putting myself forward to try and bring healing and unity to the Assembly which was disunified. If he or Members think there are jobs that I can do to help that in a different role, then of course I would consider that.”
He noted that it was “not the first time I’ve been rejected” for the top job.
“We’ve got to not take these things personally and always decide to do what we think is best for Jersey.”
