Reform Party leader loses out in Jersey election

The housing minister and leader of Jersey's Reform Party has not been re-elected as the island chose its next States Assembly.

Sam Mézec finished 10th in the island-wide senator election - in which nine seats are available - and his fellow party member and minister Rob Ward failed in his attempt to become St Helier constable.

The party has secured three seats and with counts for deputies' election in St Helier Central and North to be completed, they could gain up to five further seats - it previously had 10.

Attention has turned to who will become chief minister with Helen Miles, who topped the senators' election, and incumbent Lyndon Farnham both suggesting interest.

Speaking after being defeated, Mézec said while it was not the result he had hoped for, he was "immensely grateful" for everyone who voted for and supported him during his time as a States member.

"I am incredibly proud of all of Reform Jersey's achievements in that time, including expanding free child care to two-three year olds, consistently making primary healthcare more affordable for more groups of islanders and establishing a first time buyer," he said in a Facebook post.

"My strongest legacy will be the new Residential Tenancy Law, which will continue to protect the tenants I've fought so far for from revenge evictions and unjustifiable rent hikes for years to come.

"It will now be the job of new leadership of Reform Jersey to take our movement forward.

"It remains the only vehicle through which ordinary islanders will ever truly have their interests represented in the States."

Throughout the night senators - which were reinstated for 2026 after being abolished in 2021 - were voted for island-wide, deputies were voted for depending on the area of islanders' constituency, and constables were voted for by parish.

In that race for an island-wide mandate serving members led the way with five members of government elected alongside another States member, a former minister and two first-time candidates.

In the constables' elections the none of the above option faced by otherwise unopposed candidates was not supported enough to see anyone not be elected.

Mézec missed out on the senator position after finishing 10th with 9,374 votes - more than 2,000 behind 9th placed Mary Le Hegarat.

Miles topped the senator poll with 15,859, followed by Ian Gorst with 15,667.

Miles said she was "really surprised" by the result and was very grateful to all who voted for her and supported her during the campaign.

She said she was not going to commit to running for chief minister yet, but would have conversations about what the future government would look like.

"I think it's really important just to see how the pieces land and who else has been elected and how we can build a really strong team from the people who are there," Miles said.

"I will be starting to talk to colleagues tomorrow and see what they're thinking and see what I'm thinking before making a decision at some point.

"What we all need to do is to work as a team to bring positive change to Jersey and that means literally working together to improve our economy and to make Jersey a better place for the people who live here."

Farnham, who has been chief minister since January 2024, said he was "deeply honoured" to be elected as a senator.

He said being chief minister was a "challenging job", but indicated he would like to continue in the role.

"I feel we need continuity and stability right now," he told BBC Radio Jersey.

"We need to be forward looking to deal with the challenges and I think we need to give some thought to that.

"But if I feel I have the support, I'll certainly allow for my name to go forward so I can finish the work we've started."

Someone who appears to have ruled themselves out of running for chief minister is Gorst, who held the role from November 2011 to June 2018.

The external affairs minister said his preference would to "carry on doing what I'm doing", although he would be having conversations over the next few days about what the government would look like.

"What's important is that we have a government of all the talents as we do not want to have to change the government midway through an electoral cycle like we did last time," Gorst said.

"It was destructive and divisive and I'm not sure we can afford to do that over the next four years."

Kirsten Morel - who as economic development minister has been criticised over the ferry contract with DFDS - was re-elected as a deputy.

Morel described the result as a huge relief.

"I have been carrying a weight from the past government and various decisions that have been made," he said.

"It was absolutely wonderful to be re-elected and feel the strength of confidence the constituency have in me and I'm really grateful.

"I knew that I had my work cut out but it was a really good campaign."

Kevin Lewis lost the St Saviour's constable seat during election night to Dave Curtis.

Lewis serviced in St Saviour for 21 years, both as deputy and constable.

He said: "I'm disappointed, I had another four years in me.

"Thank you for everyone who's voted for me, supported me over the years, and now it's time for retirement."

Gabriel Raimondo, who turned 18 on 28 May, is set to become the youngest ever member of the States when he is sworn in after being elected to serve as a deputy for St Brelade.

Raimondo said he was "feeling absolutely ecstatic" about the result.

"The most amazing night with nothing but good news," he said on Facebook.

"Thank you for everyone who put their trust in me yesterday.

"I won't stop the hard work and will show you that it wasn't just an 18-year-old you voted for, but a better future for this island - the real work starts now."

Serena Kersten Guthrie, former England netballer, was elected as one of the nine successful senators, with 12,588 votes.

Inna Gardiner became the first female Constable of St Helier as she topped the poll with 2,740 votes, which put her 780 votes ahead of Ward.

Gardiner, who was previously deputy for St Helier North, said she knew it was a risk to go for the constable position, but she felt optimistic going forward.

"I think I have all the skills to step up and I was ready to be the Constable of St Helier," she added.

Analysis from BBC Jersey political reporter Ammar Ebrahim

I think Reform Jersey fell in what they would call "the trap" that was set for them when senators were brought back by that one vote by Treasury and Resources Minister Elaine Millar.

I think they fell in that trap by running for senator and running for constable. If Sam Mézec and Rob Ward had just run as deputies in St Helier, they would have probably done quite well.

For a smart, efficient machine, they've had a huge tactical blunder and also they've probably not campaigned effectively enough.

Ultimately, Mézec and Ward - two huge figures are lost from the States. Controversial figures, but figures who have had a huge impact on Jersey's politics.

I think Value Jersey's legacy on this election is that they sort of took the spotlight away and put it on Reform Jersey and that's kind of been the big story of the election.

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