States rejects chief minister public vote proposal

The States Assembly has rejected an "entirely unworkable" proposal to have the position of chief minister elected via a public vote.

In a States meeting on Wednesday, former chief minister Deputy Kristina Moore proposed the role should be elected through an Jersey-wide vote, held in parallel with the general election.

Ms Moore said the change would boost public engagement in the elections and "offer the electorate a greater level of transparency".

The assembly rejected the proposition by 43 votes to one. Ms Moore was the only member in favour.

She said: "Accountability of the role of chief minister within the public arena is lacking as voters do not have a say on who should be elected to the role.

"Voters should be provided with the opportunity to indicate their preferred candidate for chief minister during the voting process."

Ms Moore added it was possible under her proposal that an individual with no political experience might be elected.

"If this were the case, it is anticipated that the electorate would have made the decision based on the clear leadership qualities of the candidate who would be supported by the professional civil service in the transition," she said.

Deputy Sir Philip Bailhache said the idea was "entirely unworkable."

"There is a fundamental distinction between a presidential system and a ministerial system," he said.

Deputy Kirsten Morel added the proposition would "turn the election into a presidential election".

He said: "In an island of 100,000 people there is no place for a presidential election.

"It would be damaging, it would be divisive and it would ultimately turn the island in many ways against each other, I fear."

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