The lady is for turning: Sarah Ferguson returns to politics

Thursday 08 September 2016

Sarah Ferguson is back from the political wilderness and is calling for a complete review of the tax system.

The former Senator - who was ousted by the electorate in 2014's general election - won 3,649 votes, just 131 more than runner-up, Deputy Sam Mezec.

Senator-elect Ferguson received the news surrounded by a small group of loyal campaigners in an upstairs room in the Royal Channel Islands Yacht Club in St Aubin. After some hasty arithmetic as the final St Helier results were announced, Mrs Ferguson was quick to thank her supporters.

"I wouldn't have been able to do this without them," she said gratefully. "And I'd also like to thank the electorate for putting their trust in me and I will do all I can to prove I am worthy of it."

But she soon turned to business. "My first aim will be to amend the additions to the MTFP, which the States is debating this month. I have to bring back some sanity to the States' financial affairs and I will be calling for a complete review of taxes before any new charges are introduced. It is deeply disturbing that, since 2007, 10,000 fewer people pay tax."

Mrs Ferguson added that her two-year hiatus from the Chamber had been beneficial because it had given her the chance to step back and assess. "It was a positive sabbatical which helped to clear the mind," she said.

And as to her win? "I think Islanders saw me as someone who would hit the ground running and have the experience and capacity to deal with their concerns".

It may have been a low turnout with a paper-thin margin of victory but the Council of Ministers will certainly have a tougher time getting their spending plans passed as a result.