WATCH: Kingmakers Reform pledge not to become "sell-outs"

Thursday 25 January 2024

WATCH: Kingmakers Reform pledge not to become "sell-outs"

Thursday 25 January 2024

Jersey's newly appointed Chief Minister says Reform Jersey are "entitled to have a seat at the table" in the new government – and he'll be meeting with the leader to thrash out a deal very soon.

Speaking to a pack of press directly after the vote, Deputy Lyndon Farnham promised a more inclusive and collaborative government in his new role as Chief Minister, while Reform leader Sam Mézec also indicated a readiness to work towards a more united approach – though he pledged that the party would not become "sell-outs".

The vote earlier today was triggered by last week's vote of no confidence in Deputy Kristina Moore.

Reform Jersey leader Deputy Mézec dropped out of the race following the first round of voting after securing 10 votes. Deputy Ian Gorst received 21 and Deputy Farnham received 17.

But in the second round, Deputy Farnham received 27 votes after getting the backing of Reform Jersey, with Deputy Gorst polling 22.

"My door is open"

In his speech and subsequent hour of grilling by States Members ahead of the big vote, Deputy Farnham spoke about the importance of "change".

He said: “As the leader of a coalition government, I will adopt a different approach to collective responsibility, which allows Ministers to stay true to own principles, and empowers the Assembly to take more of a lead on establishing government policy.

“The trade-off will mean that the government will not always be united on every issue, but the benefits of a more civil and respectful kind of politics will outweigh this.”

It was a message he repeated as he spoke to reporters outside, as he confirmed that he was hoping to meet Reform Jersey leader Sam Mézec tomorrow.

Video: Lyndon Farnham reacts to becoming the island's next Chief Minister.

“We’ve got to try and heal the Assembly. I want to put together an inclusive government representing the whole of the assembly that represents the views of islanders.”

“I am going to speak with Deputy Mézec tomorrow when we will discuss whether Reform will have any involvement or not.

“I am quite happy to work with them.

“They have 10 seats in the Assembly, so they’re entitled to a seat around the [Council of Minster’s] table, should they wish to.”

"My door is open to all 49 members in the Assembly," he added.

"We are not prepared to become sell-outs"

Deputy Mézec, who was voted out in the first round of voting, said his party have not yet made any deals about what they want in return for their support - but that this will be discussed over the weekend.

Video: Reform Jersey's Sam Mézec ready to thrash out a deal with new Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham.

He added: “Lyndon clearly said that he wanted to be an inclusive leader, while Deputy Gorst said he wanted to be an exclusive leader.

“We’ve said that we are happy to serve in that government," he explained.

But, the leader suggested that the party would want to see some of its own vision taken on board.

"We are not prepared to become sell-outs just for Ministerial titles… We will have that conversation and find a pathway that befits the whole community.”

"That's democracy!"

Meanwhile, in response to his failure to secure the Chief Minister role, Deputy Gorst's response was a simple one: “That’s democracy."

Video: Ian Gorst reacts after failing to secure Chief Minister role.

“This is not the first time I’ve been rejected to be Chief Minister... We’ve got to not take things personally and must always do what we think is best for Jersey," he added.

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