Ian Gorst

Ian Josepth Gorst (born 15 December 1969) is an elected member of the States Assembly since 5 December 2005 and is the Minister for External Relations. He previously served as the Chief Minister of Jersey for two terms, from 18 November 2011 until 7 June 2018.[3] He previously worked as an accountant.

Senator Ian Gorst
Minister for External Relations
Incumbent
Assumed office 7 June 2018
Monarch	Elizabeth II
Lieutenant Governor	John McColl
Preceded by	Philip Bailhache
Senator
Incumbent
Assumed office 2014
Chief Minister of Jersey
In office 14 November 2011[1] – 7 June 2018[2]
Monarch	Elizabeth II
Preceded by	Terry Le Sueur
Succeeded by	John Le Fondré
Deputy for Saint Clement
In office 5th December 2005 – 2008
Personal details
Born	15 December 1969 Lancashire, England
Political party	Independent
Spouse(s)	Dionne Gorst
Children	2 daughters

Background

Gorst was born into a farming family in the Lune Valley, Lancashire, England, and left school with A-levels in history and business studies (grade E) and went on to work in insurance before going into banking and accountancy.[4] He was a member of the UK Conservative Party before leaving the United Kingdom. He met his wife Dionne (née A'Court), a Jerseywoman, while she was studying nursing in England, and the couple moved back to Jersey.[3]

Electoral history

Gorst was elected to the States of Jersey as one of the Deputies for St Clement in the 2005 elections, coming second with 930 votes.[5] He was re-elected in 2008 when he topped the poll with 1,112 votes.[6] In the 2011 general election he successfully stood for one of the four Senators' seats, coming second out of 13 candidates.

Gorst was re-elected in the 2014 general election with 14,035 votes (9.6% of the vote share), the highest of any Senatorial candidate.

States Assembly

In 2005, Gorst was appointed as an assistant minister in the Chief Minister's Department, with responsibility for decisions about migration and human resources.[7] In July 2007, Gorst became an assistant minister to the Minister for Treasury and Resources, with responsibilities including the review of accounting functions, investment matters, internal audit and procurement.[8]

Between 2008 and 2011, Gorst was Minister for Employment and Social Security in the Council of Ministers.[9] During his period of office, a system for redundancy payments was introduced,[10] the income support system was criticized,[11] state pension retirement age was raised from 65 to 67;[12] and a new system for funding care in old age was put in place.[13]

He was elected Chief Minister of Jersey in November 2011[14] and became the first Chief Minister to serve for two terms. He was succeeded by John Le Fondré in June 2018, when the new Chief Minister appointed Senator Gorst as the Minister for External Relations, a role he has taken over from Sir Philip Bailhache.

Gorst has served as chairman of the Jersey Overseas Aid Commission.[15]

Voluntary Work

Gorst is the Deputy Chair of Governors at Le Rocquier School, a member of Le Squez Youth Club Management Committee, and a member of NSPCC Pathways steering group.

References

1. "Members". Retrieved 14 December 2020.
2. "A new Chief Minister for Jersey as John Le Fondré voted in". Retrieved 8 June 2018.
3. "What do you know about Ian Gorst?". Jersey Evening Post. 19 November 2011.
4. Anon (2009). "Prominent Islanders reveal their A-level results « This Is Jersey". thisisjersey.com. Retrieved 20 October 2011.
5. BBC (2005). "About Jersey - The Candidates". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 20 October 2011.; BBC (2005). "Election brings 10 new deputies". BBC News. London: BBC. Retrieved 20 October 2011.
6. Anon (2008). "St Clement". thisisjersey.com. Retrieved 20 October 2011.
7. BBC (2005). "New assistant ministers appointed". BBC News. London: BBC. Retrieved 20 October 2011.
8. States of Jersey (2007). "Ministerial Responsibilities: Chief Minister and Minister for Treasury and Resources". statesassembly.gov.je. Retrieved 20 October 2011.
9. Anon (2008). "Social Security Minister: Ian Gorst". thisisjersey.com. Retrieved 20 October 2011.
10. Anon (2009). "Redundancy payments guaranteed". thisisjersey.com. Retrieved 20 October 2011.
11. Anon (2009). "New benefits under attack". thisisjersey.com. Retrieved 20 October 2011.; Anon (2009). "Income support under fire". thisisjersey.com. Retrieved 20 October 2011.
12. Anon (2011). "States raise pension age to 67". thisisjersey.com. Retrieved 20 October 2011.
13. ITV Channel Television - channelonline.tv (2011). "Old age fund set up". channelonline.tv. Retrieved 20 October 2011.
14. Channel TV (2011). "Senator Ian Gorst is new Chief Minister". channelonline.tv. Retrieved 14 November 2011.
15. "Jersey Overseas Aid Commission". Retrieved 20 October 2011.

External links

• Senator Ian Joseph Gorst on States Assembly Website