You've probably already heard that there is going to be a vote of no confidence (VONC) debated in this week's States Meeting, but perhaps you're not sure what it will mean for the Assembly?
A vote of no confidence in the Chief Minister, Deputy Kristina Moore, was lodged by Deputy Tom Binet, former Minister for Infrastructure. A vote of no confidence in the Chief Minister can be proposed by another States Member during the standard four-year political term. When this happens, States Members must debate and vote on the VONC in the following two weeks, although it is possible for the Assembly to agree for the debate to take place earlier. In this case, the VONC was lodged in time for it to be debated on Tuesday 16 January.
Usually in States debates elected Members can only make one speech lasting no more than 15 minutes – unless they proposed the topic of the debate. Votes of no confidence are slightly different. During the debate on the VONC, the Chief Minister will have the opportunity to speak twice, the second time being before the proposer sums up. No time limit applies to either of the speeches made by the Chief Minister as subject of the VONC.
What if the VONC is successful?
Should the majority of elected Members vote in favour of the VONC it triggers the start of the process whereby the Chief Minister and her Council of Ministers ‘fall’ from power, however they do remain in position until a new Chief Minister and Council of Ministers have been appointed.
Following a successful vote of no confidence in the Chief Minister, any States Member, who has a minimum of six other Members supporting them, can present their strategic vision and intention to be considered for the role of Chief Minister. This opportunity remains open for a minimum of five clear working days.
At the next meeting of the States Assembly, the prospective candidates are given the opportunity to present their strategic vision and answer questions from fellow Members. The selection of the next Chief Minister is then decided in a vote by States Members. To be successful, a candidate must receive at least half the votes cast. Should only one Member come forward as a candidate they would be appointed without a vote.
The successful candidate then becomes Chief Minister Designate. The States Assembly then meets again within two clear working days to appoint Ministers, at which point, the current Ministers and Assistant Ministers would ‘fall’ immediately and the new Council of Ministers would come into being.
What if the VONC is not successful?
If the VONC is not successful, the Chief Minister stays in post and will propose a new Minister for Infrastructure. Deputy Moore has advised the Assembly that she intends to nominate Deputy Steve Ahier. Other Members can also be nominated to be Minister for Infrastructure by the Assembly. Any States Member nominated as a candidate for the role has the opportunity to make a speech of up to 10 minutes, followed by a period of up to 20 minutes of questions from the rest of the States Assembly.
Where there is more than one candidate, there will be a vote to decide who to appoint. If there is one candidate, they are appointed without a vote.
In the latest States Assembly Podcast, Greffier of the States, Lisa Hart, and Deputy Greffier of the States, Will Millow, discuss what a VONC is in more detail. Listen and subscribe here: bit.ly/3vD1IA1
You can also watch the debate live from Tuesday 16 January, here: bit.ly/3mIqKoY