Select a region
The Chief Minister has agreed to Reform Jersey's "urgent" meeting request – but emphasised that moving forward "will require collaborative working and compromise, and not simply agreeing to implement the manifesto of any one individual or political party".
Kristina Moore today wrote to Reform Jersey Leader Sam Mézec and Deputy Leader Lynsday Feltham, five days after their initial request.
The letter was a reply to Reform Jersey's request for an "urgent meeting" last week to "discuss how things can be salvaged" shortly after a vote of no confidence was lodged against her.
However, in her response Deputy Moore did not appear to agree with the party's suggestion that implementation of their 'New Deal' manifesto would be the way forward.
She noted that Reform politicians put forward a number of amendments to the most recent Government spending plans in line with their manifesto commitments, but that "most of these were rejected by the Assembly".
She continued: "The Government has a clear programme in place to deliver our policies on behalf of the community. These have been set out most recently in the updated Ministerial Plans and progress reports on our Delivery Plans.
"...I am pleased with our record to date, although I am always ambitious to achieve more. I am confident that the plans we have for the remainder of our term will meet the aspirations of islanders."
However, in their letter last week, Reform Jersey said that "things cannot continue as they are" and accused the current Government of providing "talk rather than action".
"It is abundantly clear that the current government programme is not delivering the change that islanders urgently need," the letter explained.
Despite criticising the current government, Reform Jersey described Tom Binet's vote of no confidence proposition as "deeply disappointing" – condemning the fact that the year has started with "political in-fighting, rather than with a renewed focus on the issues that islanders are counting on their political leaders to resolve".
???????????????????????? ???????????????????????? ???????????????????????????????? ???????? ???????????????? ????????????.
— Reform Jersey (@ReformJersey) January 3, 2024
Reform Jersey has written to the Chief Minister to request an urgent meeting to discuss our concerns and seek assurances on how she will work with us to change the direction of travel of the government.#VoNC pic.twitter.com/jyabpn9fwR
With 10 States Members representing Reform Jersey in the Assembly, the political party holds significant voting power within the 49 total elected members.
They explained: "Our members were elected to the States Assembly on the basis of a policy-based manifesto and a determination to serve islanders in the most effective way possible.
"We stand ready to do this in any capacity. But we will not provide political cover for government leadership that is failing to take Jersey forward."
Pictured: Tom Binet resigned as Infrastructure Minister and lodged a vote of no confidence last week.
In her response published today, the Chief Minister described being "disappointed to have received Deputy Tom Binet’s resignation" but added that she is "looking forward to moving forward with a renewed and united ministerial team in the event that States Members reject the vote of no confidence".
In the letter, Deputy Moore concluded: "I am always very happy to meet States Members to discuss ways in which we can work together, and my office will be in contact with you to agree a time.
"I will invite other members of the ministerial team to attend as well.
"I will approach this meeting in the spirit with which I hope your offer is made.
"I am open to working together constructively with all States Members.
"I must emphasise though that such an approach will require collaborative working and compromise, and not simply agreeing to implement the manifesto of any one individual or political party."
Deputy Binet, who has confirmed he would go for the top job if Kristina Moore is ousted, told the Politics Disassembled podcast last week that he would be open to further discussions with Reform, noting that "what they decide to do will probably be very influential" in the vote of no confidence debate.
Listen to the full interview with Deputy Binet below – or wherever you get your podcasts...
EXPLAINED: What role could Reform have in the vote of no confidence?
Comments
Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.