Potential Tensions in New Government
Former Chief Minister Kristina Moore has indicated that there will "likely" be tension within Lyndon Farnham's new government. Farnham, who is the Chief Minister Designate, is expected to announce his ministerial team this week.
Farnham previously held the position of Chief Minister from 2024 until the June 2026 election, during which time he was recognized for fostering political stability.
Moore, who served as Chief Minister from July 2022 to 2024 before her government was ousted in a vote of no confidence, expressed her view that Farnham's main challenge this term will be managing the differing priorities of ministers. Some were elected on platforms advocating cost-cutting, while Senator Tom Binet has previously called for increased spending.
"There is likely to be quite a lot of tension."
"You've got people who have run a strong campaign saying that costs need to be cut.
"But, equally, you've got a very determined and strong character [Binet] who is claiming that more spending needs to go ahead, and so I think that we're likely to see some quite considerable clashes over the direction and the means with which some key pieces of work will be done."
Binet served as Health Minister during the previous political term and consistently advocated for increased health funding.
When questioned by the BBC on Friday about whether he would serve as Health Minister again, Binet responded,
"It looks that way. I don't see people queuing up for it."
Although the Chief Minister will nominate candidates for ministerial roles, the States Assembly retains the authority to propose and select alternative candidates.
Moore further explained,
"We've heard consistently from him throughout the campaign that he feels our resources should be dedicated to spending rather than doing what we've been advised by the Fiscal Policy Panel, which is to boost our reserves so that they are strong for that potential rainy day.
"And there are other senators who will say that there are other ways of achieving what they want for public services that isn't through additional spending."
In response to Moore's remarks, Binet stated,
"Whilst, by way of a campaign, I chose to restrict my activities to simply attending hustings.
I made it perfectly clear that we need to reduce day-to-day government spending, but increase investment in Jersey to make the island more attractive, for a variety of sound social and commercial reasons."
Moore is not alone in anticipating challenges for Farnham in assembling his ministerial team.
Calls for Compassionate Ministers
The cost of living was a significant topic during the election campaign. Patrick Lynch, head of the poverty charity Caritas Jersey, emphasized the importance of appointing ministers with compassion.
Lynch stated,
"We need people with compassion in the right ministries. We want someone with compassion, with empathy as the social security minister, which is one of the most important ministries. Someone who has compassion for people who are struggling."
When asked about politicians he would be concerned to see in the social security role, Lynch mentioned two States members.
He said,
"The previous ministerial team before the vote of no confidence who published that a living wage was not desirable - that was quite offensive.
So Elaine Millar and Malcolm Ferey would be two people we wouldn't to see in that role."
The BBC approached Senator Millar and Deputy Ferey for comment.
Deputy Ferey responded,
"I have worked in the charitable sector and in roles where I have clearly demonstrated that I have an understanding and empathic nature in finding practical solutions to people's problems, and working with people from across the socio-economic spectrum to find ways forward together.
On the point concerning the living wage, this is an unfair mischaracterisation of that report.
Balancing the needs of low-paid workers and the challenges within the business community is always a tricky act, but it is one which we must achieve in the next assembly."
Senator Millar said,
"Mr Lynch's comments are highly misleading and misrepresent the position.
The relevant report did not say 'a living wage is undesirable'.
Those words are taken entirely out of context and from a much larger sentence and paragraph.
Deputy Ferey and I support the ongoing move to a living wage and the last government has done a great deal towards that transition."
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