Le Fondré ready to challenge for the role of Chief Minister

Le Fondré ready to challenge for the role of Chief Minister

The politician, who stood down as St Lawrence Deputy to seek an Islandwide mandate, came third with 14,214 votes and polled strongly in every parish.

And the Senator-elect said that he would be more than happy to work with the man he would like to replace as Chief Minister – Senator Ian Gorst – who he would like to see become the next External Relations Minister.

Senator-elect Le Fondré said that he believed his appeal amongst the electorate stemmed from his political experience and long track record as a States Member for more than 12 years.

‘I am one of the longest serving Members, I have worked on both sides in the States – I have experience in the executive side in Treasury and in the Chief Minister’s Department,’ he said.

‘On the Scrutiny side I have chaired the Corporate Services Scrutiny Panel. On the international side I have worked on the British and Irish Council and that has been very interesting with Brexit going on.

‘I think that External Relations is going to be a very important issue for Jersey going forward. I would like us to work on our relations with France – that will help us build relations with Belgium, Switzerland and with the former eastern bloc countries as well.’

Speaking about his desire to take the top job in politics, Senator-elect Le Fondré said he thought a ‘new pair of hands’ was needed to lead the Island.

‘I think that really someone serving two terms as Chief Minister is enough,’ he said.

‘I think that Ian [Gorst] would do very well as External Relations Minister, which will be a very important role with Brexit. I think that we could work together.’

He added that he would also be happy for Senator-elect Tracey Vallois to take the role of Education Minister as part of his ministerial team.

The Senator-elect said that as Chief Minister he would try to improve communication within the States.

‘The biggest problem has been with communication – to the Council of Ministers and then to the States Members and then to Scrutiny,’ he said. ‘That is something that needs major work and I think we need a different pair of hands to achieve that.’

– Advertisement –
– Advertisement –