Election Results and Comment

Gardiner, Inna – 391 (elected)
Feltham, Lyndsay – 324
Lewis, Anthony – 245
Le Cornu, Nick – 143
Baker, John – 142
Mallet, Andrea – 120
De Faye, Guy – 76
Ahier, Francesca – 60
Jennings, Geraint – 59
Troy, Gordon George – 34

And so the results are in! An 18.7% turnout which seems small but remember the last two bi-elections for Deputies had a 14% turnout and a 15.2% turnout respectively.

Analysis

Hindsight is always wonderful, but here’s an analysis of the results and some comments.

Inna Gardiner I always thought would be a strong favourite, despite the vitriolic quasi-antisemitic attack on her by one blogger, and so it proved to be the case. Her showing at the hustings and on radio showed someone both articulate and able to do their homework and read reports and ask additional questions. She was endorsed by Jack Rondel and clearly also supported by Jaquie Carrel, which showed how much trust she had engendered. In addition, doing something active for the community when she lost the May election demonstrated someone who did not just appear at elections and then vanish, like one of the candidates.

Lyndsay Feltham despite a less than dynamic performance at Hustings came in under the Reform banner, and a lot of posters in town, as well as doing the legwork with the Reform team, and this paid off. Even when second, Reform are becoming a force to be reckoned with, and if the vote for left leaning had not been split perhaps between her and Anthony Lewis and Nick Le Cornu, she might have won. That Reform can attract professionals such as herself and Julian Rogers shows a broadening appeal. Sam Mezec as Housing Minister has also shown Reform can participate constructively within the Council of Ministers without compromising on their Manifesto, and that is also a factor which may have helped.

Ant Lewis gave a much stronger result than I had anticipated, although I was right in thinking he was not a top favourite. He’d be another strong contender in a general election, and hopefully will continue to be an articulate spokesman for those with disabilities.

Nick Le Cornu amazed me getting so many votes, given his somewhat abrasive performance, but clearly galvanised a fairly good number of the electorate into giving him support. Positioning himself as the only non-Establishment member will not do him any favours with Reform should he get in. But given the result, like Arnie, he will be back!

John Baker did nearly as well as Nick, only one vote below, showing that the Jersey Action Group (which endorsed him and in which he is a main spokesman) has some credibility, and you don’t need to be a “class warrior” to get votes. He may be too old to stand in 3 years time, but I wouldn’t write him off.

Andrea Mallet was not the strongest at the Hustings, and was away from her electoral district, where most of her manifesto CV was focused. In this case, geography certainly played a part. She might do better at St Helier No 1 next time.

Guy de Faye is clearly past his prime. As a former Deputy, he still has some support, but still falls consistently – looking back at when he fell out of office – at the bottom end of the scale. Time to drown his sorrows and move on.

Francesca Ahier was near the bottom, but I felt had potential. I’d like to see some community involvement in the Parish before the next election, but I hope she’d be back.

Geraint Jennings is clever, articulate, gave a very good hustings (very little waffle) and on radio, but his is unfortunately one of those candidates whom the electorate just never warm to, which is a shame. Perhaps if the Parish Council gets off the ground, there will be a place for him there. I’d hope so.

Gordon Troy came last. Someone has to, but clearly in him, voters do not see the shades of Shentons and Troys past glories. Time to retire gracefully.

Postscript: A friend went to vote only to discover she was in St Helier Number 2. And yet while they are close to the boundary, they had received a lot of election literature from candidates and assumed (not unnaturally) that they could vote. A little more attention to detail on behalf of those standing would not come amiss.