9 out of 10 for new Chief Minister

Thursday 07 June 2018

It's been a good day for Jersey’s new Chief Minister.

The States have approved nine out of 10 of Senator John Le Fondré’s ministers, although two of the elections were very close.

The only nomination politicians rejected was that of Health Minister, going for Deputy Richard Renouf rather than Senator Sarah Ferguson.

Seven out of Senator Le Fondré’s nominations were elected unopposed.

Pictured: Senator Ian Gorst unanimously elected Minister for External Relations.

Former Chief Minister Senator Ian Gorst takes over the mantle of External Relations from former Senator Sir Philip Bailhache. It’s likely to be a tough challenge as the island faces the uncertainty posed by Brexit. He told States members maintaining the island's constitutional position was his top priority. He also told politicians: "our Brexit plan is the best we have, but it may have to change to reflect an evolving situation".

Pictured: Deputy Susie Pinel is now in charge of the island's finances.

Deputy Susie Pinel moves from Social Security to Treasury taking over from Senator Alan Maclean. Again it’s going to be a difficult job as Jersey battles to balance the books: keeping spending down, but at the same time possibly having to find new sources of income – possibly by adjustments to taxes – to meet ever increasing costs. Deputy Pinel told members there was no doubt that controversial taxes - including waste charges and health charges - would have to be discussed. She described her approach over the next four years of being one of "common sense".

Pictured: Poll-topper Senator Tracey Vallois gets the job she wanted, Education Minister.

And polling-toping Senator Tracey Vallois is now in charge of Education. She takes over from Deputy Rod Bryans. Amongst Senator Vallois’s challenges will be finding a long-term solution for funding university fees. She's appointed Deputy Jeremy Macon as her assistant minister. 

Pictured: Deputy Richard Renouf, the new Health Minister, says he's willing to review whether the new hospital is being built at the right location.

The first of Senator Le Fondré’s nominations to be challenged was that of Health Minister. He wanted to give the job to Senator Sarah Ferguson, but instead members went for St Ouen Deputy Richard Renouf, by 27 votes to 21. Both candidates said they’d accept a review of the best site to build the island’s new hospital.

Pictured: new Social Security Minister, Deputy Judy Martin, says there's a lot more people in the island that need help than most people think.

Deputy Judy Martin - the longest serving deputy - told members she'd wanted the job of Social Security Minister for a very long time. She was elected unopposed. She says the department needs to show more respect to 'customers' and there needs to be a 'culture change'. She's appointed Deputy Geoff Southern as her assistant minister, someone she says probably knows more about Social Security than she does.

Pictured: Deputy Kevin Lewis was elected Technical Services Minister by just two votes.

Senator Le Fondré wanted former Transport and Technical Services Minister, Deputy Kevin Lewis, to get the job of Infrastructure Minister, and politicians agreed. They voted in favour of him over Senator Steve Pallet, 25 to 23. Deputy Lewis stressed it was important something was done soon to revive Fort Regent.

Pictured: The tightest vote of the day, Deputy John Young was elected Environment Minister by just one vote, 23-24. Senator Kristina Moore abstained.

The vote for Environment Minister was the tightest of the day with Senator Le Fondré’s choice, former Planning Chief Officer, Deputy John Young, beating former Environment Minister, Deputy Steve Luce, by just one vote, 24 - 23. Senator Kristina Moore abstained. Deputy Young described himself as a 'pragmatic environmentalist' and said he wasn't against development at all cost, but believed the island was facing a crisis.

Senator Lyndon Farnham was elected unopposed as Economic Development Minister, as was Housing Minister, Reform politician, and senatorial-newcomer, Senator Sam Mézec. Hiss job is expected to evolve over the term of the administration to include responsibility for children.

The final nomination of the day - for Home Affairs Minister - went unopposed to Constable Len Norman.