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Senator Terry Le Sueur in the States

Chief Minister Le Sueur

By Ryan Morrison

Senator Le Sueur has been elected Chief Minister by the States Assembly. We get his views and Ministerial hints...

Jersey's Chief Minister designate, Senator Terry Le Sueur, is aiming to govern in a way which unites States Members under a common purpose.

It was his message to members as he outlined why they should chose HIM as their head policymaker and representative of the island on the world stage.

Senator Le Sueur told the House during his speech: "The chief minister also needs to engage, listen, respond and lead. Although I am clear where my priorities lie, as Chief Minister I would continue to work with all members in a consensual way for the good of the island community."

He went on to explain his vision for the community, telling members: “I want to make Jersey an even better place for all of us, an island in which we can all take pride. I'm proud that people often refer to me as a safe pare of hands."

Senator Alan Breckon

Senator Breckon

Senator Alan Breckon, who also stood for Chief Minister, echoed the theme of unity when he addressed the House.

He said: "We must have the heart of the community in everything that we do and show respect for each other and our community.

“Celebrate our differences, sharing common goals and objectives and by doing this I believe we will lay solid foundations for our future in what will be difficult times."

So in the end the Treasury Minister Senator Terry Le Sueur was elected by 36 votes to 17.

More of the same?

BBC Radio Jersey asked him whether under his leadership, the island would just be getting "more of the same" from The States.

He told us: "Jersey in the past three years has built up very strong foundations on which to go forward into some potentially difficult times ahead so there will be some more of the same.

Inside the States Chamber

"But equally I think I will try to apply my particular philosophies and my particular vision which is on of a more inclusive States body that is better able to go out and communicate with the public, react with the public and listen to the public.

"I think, in order to do that the States Assembly has to work as a team and I am conscious of the fact that there has been divisions in the States.

"One of my objectives over the next three years is to try and heal some of those division, maybe one can't mend them completely but I think if we can all realise that, whatever our views we are there working for the good of the people of the island then there is a good chance that we can make positive progress in order to rekindle that spirit of community within Jersey and get the public to believe in us."

Communication

So, more communication with the public - something Senator Le Sueur seems to be very keen on improving.

But in an UNOFFICIAL public vote yesterday organised by pressure group Time4Change, Senator Alan Breckon actually came out on top.

Deputy Tadier at the Time4Change Ballot

Hundreds of people cast their vote in the mock election in the Royal Square.

We asked Senator Le Sueur whether he thought the public should get a say in who gets the top political job, he said: "I think the difficulty with having a public election for Chief Minister is that that Chief Minister has to have the command and support of the majority of people in the States.

"In a process like that there is no guarantee that a person elected by the public could do that and you might have to go back to the public ten times until you found a Chief Minister who did have support in the States. So that probably isn't a feasible solution at the present time.

"It might come if you have party politics and clearly expressed policy mandates covered by a number of people - at least 20 or so people - so you can get a real view in that respect. That isn't the view at the present time."

Inside the States Chamber

Council of Ministers

And it will also be States members that choose who gets which role on the new Council of Ministers.

We asked the Chief Minister-designate who he has in mind for the ministerial positions.

He told us: "People like Senator Ozouf, Senator Routier, Senator Cohen, Senator Le Main and also people newly elected and newly promoted who could also add to that.

"People like Senator Le Marquand, Senator Maclean, I am still prepared to offer a job to Senator Breckon although initially he turned me down - I shall try again with that."

You’ll be able to listen to the Ministerial votes and debates in full on BBC Radio Jersey 1026mw or the debates and speeches on bbc.co.uk/jersey.

last updated: 09/12/2008 at 12:10
created: 09/12/2008

Have Your Say

John N
Bobby! I have already given my opinion but if you want a reply then you will get one!In reply to your first comment - find me a politician who has never backtracked and lied. I'm not condoning him going against his word but i think you'll find it pretty hard to find me a politician who hasn't...And in response to your next question - it is blatantly obvious that we are not inhabiting the same planet (as you like to call it) - but i'm on the one called "Earth". Try visiting sometime.I'm not saying that Terry Le Sueur is ideal because there are many things i don't like about him. However, he is Jersey through and through, knows what is good for the Island and will, in my opinion, do a good job as Chief Minister.

Bill
He is still going to use Le Main in his council of ministers knew he would go for Le Marquand so basically no difference just a Walker puppet

Dave
John N, thanks for your insightful answer. I work in finance so am fully aware of its importance and the threats we face. You seem to share the mentality of most finance workers that anyone other than walker, le seuer, ozouf, etc would drive away the finance industry. I remember an email from a Manager at work before the 2005 Sentorials telling everybody who the "finance guys" were. I once had to sit through a Terry Le Seuer presentation, he is an appalling public speaker, this alone should have ruled him out of the running.

Bobby
How can it be good for Jersey John N? Le Sueur has stated in the past that he would never stand for Chief Minister. He has gone against his word, he has backtracked, he has lied.If that is the calibre of man you want representing us then I honestly do not know which planet you are currently inhabiting and this says more about you than anything you could ever type in mitigation.Go on, try and reply and save your face.

Darren
I think Basil Brush would make a better Chief than Le Sueur. Boom Boom!!

John N
I am neither a property developer or an 11k resident - just for your information Dave.The main problem that people have with Le Sueur is the introduction of GST. Unfortunately there are many people who don't quite understand why it was necessary to introduce it. It is was financially vital to Jersey as believe it or not it is the finance industry keeping Jersey going... and finance is something that T le S definitely understands.Ok, he's not the nicest man in the World but he's better than anyone else for the job - and anyone promoting the JDA quite frankly needs their head testing!

Steve
Jersey's answer to joe pasquale... lets hope the joke's not on us!

Steve
Another kick in the teeth for Jersey people ,just like the last time ,we outside the states dont count till they want our votes

Dave
John N, why is this good news for Jersey? Are you a property developer or 11K resident by any chance? Jersey needed a fresh face at the helm, not more of the same. Terry Le Sueur has no idea how hard it is to make ends meet in this Island. This was a missed opportunity for the States to show they actually cared.

Mr Realist
One horse race. Terry Le Sueur is correct choice. Alan Breckon, Stuart Syvret and JDA jokers are only in there to get £45K a year. They couldn't earn half that if they did a proper days work.

Michael
It says something when the only two options for running this island's parliament is a new senator with no ministerial experience - but an honest man with the people of Jersey's hopes and wants and the centre of his ideals - or the same old face who is "supposed" to follw Frank into this job and who's beliefs are set with what has always been done in this government.People like Terry not only shouldn't be in the the Chief Minister's role but should not even be in the States!Boat in the morning, anyone?

John N
This is good news for the Island. Contrary to your opinion Bobby it is good for Jersey...

susan
Yuk

Rachel
Alan Breckon would have made a better chief Minister. He would not have been in it for the glory! The ballot should not be secret.

Bobby
This is the final nail in Jerseys coffin. RIP Jersey.

Stephen
Oh Jolly good another part of the establishment is the chief minster. What is the bet he will make the island more expensive, over-populated and finance lead.It is no surprise though, what is worse though is that it was a secret vote.

Sally
Terry Le SueurWe need stability, integrity and intelligent thinking in these difficult times.

mops
I agree with Ol' big Ears

1) Ministry of Finance & Fiscal Development
2) Ministry of Education, Sport Culture
3) Ministry of Health, Youth & Social Services
4) Ministry of Home Affairs & Social Security
5) Ministry of Planning & Environment, and Housing
6) Ministry of Public Services Stuart Syvret should be Chief Minister, of course, but we all know that won't happen YET!

Mo
Time for change in the Ministry of Change.

Kabfire
We desperatley need stability in these times. We also need experience in dealing with other Governments. Given the choice of only two it really must be TLS.

Joyce
Terry is like more Bush,

M Reynolds
Terry Le Sueur has integrity and experience for the role of Jersey's Chief Minister

John
Alan Breckon

John
Alan Brekon

Me
Terry. No doubt about it, he's got experience, intelligence. He's a caring and kid family man. Just the type of person we nee to lead us. Breckson may be good once he's had some more experience, he's really not yet qualified to be a head of state.

Candidates for Chief Minister

Senator-elect Alan Breckon

Senator Terry Le Sueur

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