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The character of Jersey's new government will become much clearer today, as its members decide whether or not to give Senator John Le Fondré their backing for his ministerial choices.
The most likely absentees, who members may try to force back onto the Council, are Deputy Steve Luce and Steve Pallett. Those two weren't included in the Chief Minister-designate's original slate, but it's possible they will be proposed and voted in today.
Trinity Deputy Hugh Raymond was also clear during the election campaign that he had his eye on the position of Home Affairs Minister, so it's possible he will be proposed today, to run against St.Clement Constable Len Norman, who is being proposed by the Chief Minister-designate.
Meanwhile, Senator Kristina Moore, who polled in the second place in the recent election, has confirmed that she won't be contesting the Home Affairs position, and will instead seek to leak the scrutiny side of government, as Chairman on the Corporate services scrutiny panel and the President of the Chairman’s Committee.
She commented:
"Whilst I would have welcomed the opportunity to serve as a Minister, I respect the vote of the new Assembly and I believe that Senator Le Fondre should be able to shape his own team.
"On reflection I feel that my skills can be better used on scrutiny where I can ensure that the Government acts in Jersey’s best interests."
Of Senator John Le Fondré's proposed choices, the ones most likely to face challenges will be Senator Sarah Ferguson as Health Minister, Deputy John Young at Environment, Deputy Kevin Lewis at Infrastructure and Deputy Judy Martin at Social Security.
Senator Le Fondré says he has tried to propose a Council with a diverse range of views, in some ways taking Ministerial government back to the very first Council led by Senator Frank Walker, which included Senator Philip Ozouf on one side of the political spectrum, and Senators Wendy Kinnard and Stuart Syvret on the other.
But he had been criticised this week for his deal with Reform Jersey, and he will find out today if that friction has already made it harder for him to get his way on the floor of the States Assembly, or whether members will give him the chance to work with the team he has selected.
He was elected with a significant majority - 30 votes to 19 - but today is the first test of how many of those supporters will stick with him when it comes to challenging votes.
States Members will also choose the chairs of the various scrutiny panels when they meet today.
It’s understandable a new CM wants change, im not as appalled by the @ReformJersey deal as others appear to be. It’s politics. There is a strong silent Voting majority in jersey, and safe to say they seem a little aghast at the proposed COM at present!
— Kristina Le Feuvre (@Krislefeuvre) June 6, 2018
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