CLUES about the potential “cast-list” for Jersey’s Council of Ministers are set to emerge following today’s confirmation of Senator Lyndon Farnham as Chief Minister.
Fellow Senators Tom Binet, Alan Maclean and Helen Miles are shaping up as key players within the next government.
Although his status as the only candidate for the top job raised the prospect of an early declaration of ministerial nominees, Senator Farnham has instead chose to bide his time, taking some time off last weekend while continuing to canvas many of the other 48 politicians elected to the States Assembly alongside him.
The return of Senators to the Assembly is shaping up as a significant factor in the selection of ministerial nominees, with Senator Farnham, third-placed among the nine candidates elected, seeking to reward those who were successful in gaining an Island-wide role.
Senator Farnham’s nominees are set to be confirmed next week ahead of the second meeting of the new Assembly on 29 June, when other nominations may be made, and elections will be held for each ministry.
Poll-topper Senator Miles seems certain to return to the ministerial job at Home Affairs that she held from July 2022 until January 2024, while runner-up Senator Ian Gorst indicated before the election that his aspiration was to remain as External Relations Minister, a request he will likely be granted.
Senator Elaine Millar received 14,208 votes, just nine fewer than Senator Farnham, however it is understood she may lose out as Treasury Minister to the returning Senator Alan Maclean, who was seventh in the poll and held the job between 2014 and 2018 before his temporary retirement from politics. This leaves a question mark over Senator Millar’s role, albeit it would be a major surprise if she was not nominated somewhere.
Separated by even fewer votes than the duo above them, the fifth- and sixth-ranked Island-wide representatives are also lined up for jobs. Senator Tom Binet looks set to remain as Health Minister, while Senator Serena Kersten, who finished four clear of him, seems set for an assistant ministerial sports brief, possibly with a foot in both the Economy and Infrastructure departments.
Senator Sir Mark Boleat looks highly likely to be nominated for a ministerial role, with both Environment and Education mentioned as possible hats for him to don.
Senator Mary Le Hegarat finished ninth in the Senatorial standings, more than 2,000 clear of the next candidate, former Housing Minister Sam Mézec. The Housing brief is one of several possible destinations for Senator Le Hegarat after Senator Miles takes up pole position for the Home Affairs job. The fact that Senator Le Hegarat was among those to sign Senator Farnham’s nomination for Chief Minister suggests she is not headed for the wilderness.
It is understood that Senator Binet, who will probably remain as Deputy Chief Minister, has been closely consulted by Senator Farnham, along with Senator Miles and Senator Maclean.
Although Senator Farnham has indicated a desire for continuity as he prepares to form a new government, significant change around the Council of Ministers’ table is inevitable.
Three of the 12 ministers in post prior to the election – former Deputies Mézec, Rob Ward (Education) and Steve Luce (Environment) failed to gain re-election, while there are significant question marks over five others who gained re-election to the Assembly but may not take up the same ministerial seats.
St John Constable Andy Jehan indicated before the election that he did not wish to remain as Infrastructure Minister, while fellow Constable Richard Vibert, although more equivocal about remaining in government, could miss out.
Deputy Kirsten Morel could be squeezed out after a turbulent four years in Economic Development, while there is uncertainty over whether Deputy Carolyn Labey will remain as International Development Minister.
Big decisions remain to be made over Reform Jersey, still the largest official group within the Assembly, albeit with three fewer representatives against the ten they held last term and, in particular, Deputy Lyndsay Feltham, the party’s acting leader and incumbent Social Security Minister.
Will the Chief Minister-designate’s desire for a “broad church” across his ministerial stable include a seat for Reform? And after a bruising election campaign, would the party prefer to lick its wounds outside the government tent, instead assuming more of an “opposition” role?
Some new faces are likely to come in, with several sources indicating that Deputy Malcolm Ferey will be rewarded for his loyalty to Senator Farnham with a ministerial role, possibly at Social Security.
It remains to be seen how many members of the government headed by former Chief Minister Kristina Moore, prior to the vote of no confidence led by Deputy Binet at the start of 2024, may return to government. Senator Miles is one who seems certain to be back, but there is less clarity around the futures of Deputies Louise Doublet, Hilary Jeune, Jonathan Renouf, Lucy Stephenson and Karen Wilson, while Constable Inna Gardiner seems likely to have her hands full with parish responsibilities after taking over from the long-serving Simon Crowcroft.
Some adjustments to the different ministries could also form part of the nomination process.
Once the make-up of the Council of Ministers is confirmed during the sitting starting on Monday 29 June, the Assembly will also elect chairs of the Privileges and Procedures Committee, the Public Accounts Committee, the Planning Committee and the five Scrutiny Panels.
