VIDEO: Defiant in defeat - “2018 will be the year of Reform”

Wednesday 07 September 2016

Rather than being down in the dumps after narrowly being beaten into second place in yesterday’s by-election, Deputy Sam Mezec was defiant in defeat.

In a rallying speech to supporters at his headquarters, the Deputy said voters had sent a clear message to the Council of Minister that “enough was enough."

He praised Sarah Ferguson on her return to the Assembly and promised to work alongside her to fight the proposals in the Medium Term Financial Plan – the Council of Ministers’ spending plan for the next three years. Senator-elect Ferguson has also been an outspoken critic of some of the recommendations being put forward.

Despite losing out by just over 100 votes the Deputy said he would not be asking for a recount. In the last General Election Senator-elect Ferguson also narrowly missed out being elected and did demand a re-count. Under the rules governing politicians Deputy Mezec did not have to resign his seat to stand for Senator so he still remains in the States.

Deputy Mezec believes this may have cost him votes because if he had been elected St Helier would have had to go to the polls again.

Deputy Mezec also told his supporters he was disappointed with the poor turnout – “you certainly cannot blame it on bad weather”. He believes more needs to be done to politically engage islanders.