Jersey's Health Minister will not seek re-election

Channel
Jersey
Politics
Monday 9 April 2018 at 5:48am

Credit: ITV Channel TV

Jersey's Health and Social Services Minister has announced he will not stand for re-election in May.

Senator Andrew Green has been a Jersey politician since 2008 when he was elected Deputy of St Helier No 3. He was appointed as Health Minister in 2014, overseeing projects such as the plans for Jersey's new hospital.

Senator Green is also Deputy Chief Minister and Chairman of the States Employment Board.

In a statement he outlined some of his achievements as Health Minister and explained that he has decided to devote his time to other roles in his life.

There is no single reason why I have decided not to stand for a fourth term, but I have three substantial roles and regularly work 80-hour weeks. I would happily continue for one more year if that were possible in order to see the completion of a number of projects, but a further four years, by which time I would be 71, would be too great a commitment. I am pleased with the progress of Jersey’s mental health laws,which are expected to be debated today, and the organ donation legislation, which is also coming before the States. The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services are moving to new premises shortly, and the revised planning application for the new hospital has been approved by the project team. By standing down now I shall be able to devote more time to two other roles about which I am passionate. The first is as national chairman of Headway UK; the other is as grandparent to two wonderful young people.

Senator Green will continue to be Minister for Health and Social Services until June 1st when new members will be sworn in.

He is one of a number of politicians who have recently announced they will not stand in May, including Deputy Murray Norton, Senator Philip Ozouf, Deputy Anne Pryke, Deputy Peter McLinton, Senator Sir Philip Bailhache and Senator Alan Maclean.