AS the shockwaves from this week’s vote of no confidence are still felt Island-wide, Deputy Lucy Stephenson was “very frustrated and disappointed” at the States Assembly’s decision to oust Jersey’s first female Chief Minister.
Stephenson assumed the position of assistant minister with responsibility for sport within Deputy Kristina Moore’s administration in July 2022 and said that regardless of whether her position was retained she “will continue to be a voice in the States Assembly and still try to be a champion of sport” – even if that happens to be from the backbenches.
The Deputy said: “It’s been quite a difficult portfolio to really get down to the details of and start trying to challenge the issues that exist.
“We were just starting to get somewhere. With the recent independent sport review, 2024 is a really important year for the sporting landscape in Jersey.
“The recommendations made in the review are paramount to address, so we can start making a difference.
“I am fighting hard to get more support for sports locally, so obviously I am very frustrated and disappointed.
“My sincere hope is that, whatever happens next, those recommendations are taken forward.
“Of course, I want to be the person who is able to do that, but whether that is the case is largely dependent on who the next Chief Minister is.
“There are currently a lot of ‘what ifs’ at the moment.
“But I am hopeful that all the hard work from the past 18 months doesn’t go to waste.”
The new Chief Minster is set to be selected on Thursday 25 January, with Deputies Ian Gorst, Lyndon Farnham and Sam Mézec all putting themselves forward for the top job.
Stephenson, alongside 13 others, has formally backed Deputy Gorst’s nomination paper, as has the outgoing Chief Minister, Deputy Moore.
Despite the uncertainty that shrouds the political landscape in Jersey, Stephenson feels that the government have made a “significant difference” during her tenure.
“I think we can be proud of the things that have been set in motion,” she added.
“Changes have occurred that are making a significant difference already and it’s really important we continue that momentum going forward.
“We now have a dedicated sport policy officer within government in Nikki Holmes.
“I don’t think we should underestimate the importance of that. For a number of years, there was no such resource to focus on making important links across the government.
“We have zeroed in on the need to strengthen the relationship between Jersey Sport and the government and having someone who can drive that forward across the departments is vital.
“On the performance side of sport, we are looking at £600,000 over four years to put towards our strategy.
“Obviously a lot depends on what the next government would do in future years, but that funding for this current year is secure.
“I’m hopeful that would continue because the money is there in place, but we just have to wait and see how the next week unfolds.”
