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With 10 members in the States Assembly, Reform Jersey holds significant voting power in the upcoming vote of no confidence in the Chief Minister... But how is the party seeking to wield that power? And would Kristina Moore or her opposer be up for working with them?
Earlier this week, Reform Jersey requested a meeting with the Chief Minister to "discuss how things can be salvaged" after Infrastructure Minister Tom Binet resigned and launched a bid to oust her, confirming that he would stand for the top job himself.
Accusing the current Council of Ministers of providing "talk rather than action", the party said that "things cannot continue as they are" in the letter, which was sent on Wednesday.
The solution to getting Jersey "back on track", as the Chief Minister had previously pledged to do, lies in its 'New Deal' manifesto, the party said, while it branded its 'Housing Crisis Action Plan' as "the best way forward to urgently address the biggest cost-of-living pressures affecting so many".
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— 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 so much turmoil in the Council of Ministers following the shock resignations of Tom Binet and, just weeks earlier, Assistant Chief Minister Andy Jehan, it seems all bets are off in the Jersey political world... So could this be Reform's time to shine?
Given the bid to "change the direction of travel" of Government – and perhaps secure themselves some roles in the Council of Ministers – Express explored what collaboration with Reform would look like, and to what extent Kristina Moore or Tom Binet would be up for working with them...
Renegotiating the bus contract, supporting islanders with low-carbon heating options, giving tenants first dibs if their properties are due to be sold by the landlord and supporting the decriminalisation of cannabis all feature in the 'New Deal', which the party describes as being "built on fairness and justice".
The manifesto document – which you can read in full by clicking below – is made up of nine key pledges.
Each pledge is "tangible, deliverable and affordable", the party said in the document, adding that each "will correspond with a States proposition or Ministerial Order if our members are elected to government".
Living wage: "We will raise the Minimum Wage to the 'Living Wage', starting by raising it to £10 per hour from 1st October 2022."
Housing crisis: "We will declare a housing crisis in the first week of office and require officers to implement our 'Housing Crisis Action Plan' as a matter of urgency."
Affordable healthcare: "We will expand the 'Health Access Scheme' so islanders with long-term illnesses can access cheaper GP appointments. We will work towards abolishing the fee entirely for all islanders."
GST on food and essential items: "We will remove GST from food and essential items by 2023. This will be done on the same basis as the VAT exemptions in the UK."
School meals: "We will ensure that all States primary schools provide a hot and nutritious meal daily for all their students by September 2023."
Fair tax: "We will reform our tax system to ensure taxes are progressive and fair. This will include raising the top rate for the highest earners, reducing it for middle earners, and protecting the lowest earners."
Improved public transport: "We will renegotiate the contract for Jersey's bus service to provide more accessible, affordable and environmentally friendly public transport, alongside active travel options."
Energy efficient homes: "We will establish a programme to support households to transition to low-carbon heating systems."
Government accountability: "We will establish a Public Services Ombudsman to enable islanders to seek real redress when failed by a government service."
Express took a look at the manifesto in deeper detail here.
The party had some recent successes in the Government Plan debate, with four amendments accepted at the start of the debate, whilst one was secured with a majority of backbenchers.
Other Reform Jersey amendments were opposed by a majority of States Members, including funding to end the teachers pay dispute, tax reform, more affordable public transport and action to relieve the housing crisis.
Describing their request to meet with the Chief Minister as "urgent", the party warned: "Jersey risks facing a terminal decline because of the growing inequality we have been suffering for years. Our severe housing crisis is forcing many young islanders to leave in search of better futures elsewhere. Foodbank usage is at record levels. Families have had their lives disrupted by industrial action.
"...We are therefore writing to you to request a meeting to discuss our concerns and seek assurances from you on how you will work with us to change the direction of travel of the current Government."
But that request did not appear to be met with the desired urgency by the Chief Minister.
By Thursday afternoon, more than 24 hours later, Deputy Lyndsay Feltham confirmed that the party were still awaiting a reply and confirmation of when to meet.
Should Deputy Moore fall, Deputy Tom Binet confirmed that he would be willing to step up and take on the top political post... But would he also be up for working with the Assembly's dominant political party?
Speaking on the Politics Disassembled podcast, Deputy Binet acknowledged that Reform Jersey have "a very significant vote in the Assembly and, in this instance, what they decide to do will probably be very influential".
He continued: "I meet with Reform reasonably regularly, as I meet with lots of different States Members, and it’s completely up to them where they want to put their vote."
Asked whether he would work with Reform if elected as Chief Minister, he said: "If I would succeed, I would want to work as closely as I could with everybody, so the answer is 'yes'."
Listen to the full interview with Deputy Binet below – or wherever you get your podcasts...
Pictured top: The 10 members of Reform Jersey currently in the States Assembly.
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