Moore Announces Picks For Council of Ministers

Jersey's Chief Minister-designate, Deputy Kristina Moore, has announced which politicians she wants to join the Council of Ministers.

These are only her recommendations though, and other States Members will be able to challenge for the positions when the appointments are debated in the States Assembly next week.

Deputy Moore was chosen as the next Chief Minister after politicians overwhelmingly supported her in a States vote yesterday (5 July).

The new Council of Ministers is shaping up to be rather different, with six newly-elected States Members proposed to go straight into government.

Deputy Moore's slate also has an equal number of men and women nominated as Ministers:

Children & Education

Deputy Inna Gardiner

Deputy Moore is nominating St Helier North's Inna Gardiner as the new Minister for Children & Education.

She also revealed to Channel 103 that she plans to separate the two portfolios and re-create the individual role of Children's Minister, proposing Constable Richard Vibert take on the role once it is created.

That will be subject to a vote in the assembly, in the same way that ex-Chief Minister, Senator John Le Fondré, proposed creating the joint role last year.

Economic Development, Tourism, Sport & Culture

Deputy Kirsten Morel

Deputy Kirsten Morel has been nominated to take on the role of Economic Development Minister.

He previously served as an Assistant Minister to the department under the last government.

Environment

Deputy Jonathan Renouf

States newcomer Deputy Jonathan Renouf has been nominated to take on the new role of Minister for Environment and Energy.

Like Deputy Moore's proposed changes to the role of Children & Education Minister, she wants to add 'Energy' to the Environment Minister's portfolio.

Deputy Renouf finished in third place in the St Brelade election.

External Relations

Deputy Philip Ozouf

Deputy Ozouf was narrowly re-elected in St Saviour. He has previously been the Treasury Minister and Economic Development Minister.

If elected, he would replace Deputy Ian Gorst - who is being proposed for Treasury Minister.

Health

Deputy Karen Wilson

Deputy Karen Wilson, a nurse with 30 years of experience in the care sector, has been put forward to replace Richard Renouf as Health Minister.

She was elected in fourth place in the St Clement constituency.

Home Affairs

Deputy Helen Miles

Helen Miles was the vice-chair of Autism Jersey before being elected to the States Assembly.

She topped the polls in St Brelade, picking up 2,370 votes.

If elected, Deputy Miles would replace Gregory Guida in the role.

Housing and Communities

Deputy David Warr

Deputy David Warr, a member of the 'Better Way' group of independents, was elected in St Helier Central ahead of the previous Housing and Communities Minister, Russell Labey.

Infrastructure

Deputy Tom Binet

Deputy Tom Binet considered challenging for Chief Minister but decided to support Deputy Moore instead.

He topped the polls in St Saviour and would replace the new Constable of the parish, Kevin Lewis.

International Development

Deputy Carolyn Labey

Deputy Carolyn Labey has been offered the opportunity to continue as International Development Minister.

She was the first politician to be appointed to the role, when it was created after the 2018 election.

Social Security

Deputy Elaine Millar

Former Viscount Deputy Elaine Millar has been proposed to replace the ousted Judy Martin as Social Security Minister.

She was elected with more than 2,000 votes in St John, St Lawrence and Trinity.

Treasury & Resources

Deputy Ian Gorst

Former Chief Minister and External Relations Minister, Deputy Ian Gorst, has been nominated to take on the job of Treasury Minister.

That is despite publicly declaring his wish to continue as External Relations Minister after being re-elected last month.

Commiserations to the other candidates. It was a very close result. I enjoyed contesting the election with you - it was conducted in an excellent spirit.
As I said during the campaign, I now wish to continue as Minister for External Relations & Financial Services.

— Deputy Ian Gorst (@Ian_Gorst) June 23, 2022

Deputy Gorst was the Assistant Treasury Minister in the last government.

If backed by States Members, Deputies Moore, Gorst, Labey, and Ozouf are the only previous Ministers who would return to government.

Deputy Lyndon Farnham and Constable Kevin Lewis, who both served as Ministers under the previous government, haven't been nominated.

All of the proposed Ministers were elected as independent candidates - although some are part of Deputy Moore's 'Better Way' coalition.

It's expected that Reform Jersey, which had 10 candidates elected to the States, will challenge for some of the Ministerial positions.

States Members will vote in the new Ministers in a sitting which begins next Monday (11 July).