One of the defining figures of Jersey politics has been met with a swell of support as he said goodbye this morning.
Just hours after losing his Assembly seat after seeking the Island-wide mandate, Reform Jersey leader Sam Mézec made a post marking what many long-term supporters will view as the end of a political era.
“It wasn’t the result we were hoping for,” he wrote.
A painful night
2022 FLASHBACK
Last night’s results were a far cry from 2022…
His departure capped a brutal election night for Reform Jersey, which in addition to losing its leader, also waved goodbye to Education Minister and St Helier Constable hopeful Rob Ward and St Saviour Deputy Raluca Kovacs, as voters delivered a series of blows to the party that emerged as one of the election’s biggest winners four years ago.
Deputy Mézec – who had previously run for Chief Minister, and was hoping to make another attempt – was among the biggest casualties of the Senatorial race, finishing outside the top nine despite entering the contest as Reform’s leader, Housing Minister and one of the Island’s most recognisable political figures.
Reflecting on his defeat, he highlighted what he saw as the party’s achievements in government.
“I am incredibly proud of all of Reform Jersey’s achievements in that time, including expanding free child care to 2-3 year olds, consistently making primary healthcare more affordable for more groups of islanders and establishing a first time buyer [scheme].”
He said his proudest achievement would be reforms to housing law.
“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.”
In a message that appeared to acknowledge a changing of the guard, he added: “It will now be the job of new leadership of Reform Jersey to take our movement forward.”
“À bétôt,” he signed off.
LISTEN
Deputy Mézec had laid out his election hopes in the Election Disassembled podcast…
Another big name falls
Mr Mézec’s departure was not the only blow.
Education Minister Rob Ward lost the race to become Constable of St Helier, defeated by Inna Gardiner, who will make a move from the St Helier Deputy ranks to become mother of the parish.
As of Monday morning, Mr Ward’s public-facing political Facebook profile had been removed.
“Gratitude, pride and no regrets”
Meanwhile, Deputy Raluca Kovacs failed to retain her seat in St Saviour, where voters instead elected incumbents Malcolm Ferey and Louise Doublet, as well as newcomers Chris Leck and Robert Parker (who endorses the priorities of Value Jersey).
In a lengthy statement issued after the result, Deputy Kovacs said she was leaving politics with “gratitude, pride and no regrets”.
“Serving the Parish of St Saviour in the States Assembly over the past four years has been a privilege,” she said.
“I have worked hard to represent parishioners and islanders, stand up for what I believed was right, and deliver practical results for our community.”
The first Romanian national elected to Jersey’s parliament, Deputy Kovacs thanked supporters, colleagues and election staff before concluding: “I am proud of the contribution I have made over the last four years, and I leave knowing that I gave this role everything I had.”
St Helier South success
Not all the news has been bad for Reform.
Longstanding St Brelade Deputy Monty Tadier will be continuing to represent St Brelade, though his running mate, former Environment Minister John Young, was pipped to the post by youngest ever Deputy Gabriel Raimondo, who endorses the priorities of Value Jersey.
The party successfully retained two seats in St Helier South, with Tom Coles and Beatriz Porée both elected. Their third party hopeful, Carla Jardim did not win a seat.
However, the scale of Reform’s losses means attention is now turning to the districts still to declare.
The most significant battleground is St Helier Central, where Deputy Leader and Social Security Minister Lyndsay Feltham, Deputy Catherine Curtis and Deputy Carina Alves are all seeking election alongside newcomer Lee Carpenter.
In St Helier North, the party is also hoping newcomer Kevin O’Connell can secure a breakthrough.
Those counts are due to resume at 10.30am.
Hopes of ‘Turning the Tide’
The party, which secured a record 10 seats in the 2022 election, had argued in its manifesto entitled ‘Turning the Tide’ that Jersey faced a choice between what it called “managed decline” and “Island renewal”, and sought a stronger mandate to expand its influence in government.
The document centred on three core themes – tackling the cost of living, preparing Jersey for future challenges and restoring accountability in government. Reform also pledged to build hundreds of new homes, expand childcare support, deliver a new hospital, reduce reliance on consultants, reform the tax system and increase support for pensioners and families.
But those pledges failed to attract a majority of voters in a number of districts.
Newcomers Noah Jervis and Mick Robbins had hoped to win seats in St Clement, but were beaten by the three incumbents.
Meanwhile Helen Evans made an unsuccessful second bid to secure a seat in super-district St Mary, St Peter and St Ouen.
A swell of support
Within minutes of being posted at 06:43 this morning, Deputy Mézec’s farewell post had attracted hundreds of reactions and messages from supporters thanking him for his years in public office.
Many pointed to specific policies they felt had made a tangible difference to their lives. One supporter described childcare reforms introduced during Reform’s time in government as “life-changing”, while another thanked him for making GP appointments more affordable.
Others reflected on the journey from Mr Mézec’s emergence as a young political outsider to the creation of a party that went on to become one of the Island’s most influential political movements.
“I’ve watched you go from a scrappy 20-something with big ideas, to forming a political party that’s lasted for over a decade that has been making real, important changes for islanders that matter,” wrote one supporter.
Another thanked him for his work on housing and social justice, saying his efforts had “made a real difference to many lives”.
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