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Just one of the hopefuls for Jersey’s open Chief Minister position mentioned Channel Island collaboration in their pitch to politicians to become leader.
In Jersey leadership elections each candidate is required to submit a “vision statement” outlining their priorities should they obtain office.
That process was started this week after the incumbent, Deputy Kristina Moore, was ousted from the role in a vote of no confidence, also jeopardising the Council of Ministers who hold executive powers in their system of government.
Deputy Ian Gorst, the current Treasury Minister, and a former Chief Minister who served two terms between 2011 and 2018, is among three candidates vying for the job.
He’s currently the front-runner after securing the highest level of backing in the nomination stage, which includes Deputy Moore and a string of other Ministers and Constables.
He was also the only candidate to mention Channel Island cooperation in his leadership vision.
“I am a strong proponent of joint Channel Island working across domestic and international policy,” he said. “On every possible occasion, I will work to ensure that the Channel Islands (and indeed all three Crown Dependencies) speak with one unified voice in the world."
His calls for “experience and stability” combined with “laser focus” will ring bells among Guernsey residents after Deputy Lyndon Trott returned to the top of island politics before Christmas after the Policy & Resources Committee were ousted.
Deputy Gorst has promised action on increasing the supply of housing and converting an old Jersey hospital into a new village. He also pledged to keep taxes low and restrict new government debt, hoping to top-up public reserves instead.
The other candidates are Deputy Lyndon Farnham, the Deputy Chief Minister in the last administration, and Deputy Sam Mézec, Leader of the Reform Jersey party.
The new Chief Minister will be elected next week, and you can follow Bailiwick Express Jersey or the Jersey Evening Post for all the latest developments as they happen.
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