CONFIRMED: How much each election casualty is due to be paid

Former ministers, party leaders and veteran States Members who left politics at this year’s election are set to receive just under £200,000 in compensatory payments in total… Here’s exactly how much each is due to receive…

Figures confirmed by the Deputy Greffier show that a total of £191,432.79 will be paid out under arrangements approved by the independent States Members’ Remuneration Reviewer.

The payments will go to both unsuccessful candidates who lost their seats at the 2026 election and long-serving Members who chose to retire from public office.

The biggest bucks

The largest individual payment will go to former St Helier Constable Simon Crowcroft, who is due to receive £36,694.06 after retiring following more than two decades of service.

Former St Helier Deputy and Reform Jersey politician Geoff Southern will receive £30,311.58, while retiring St Lawrence Constable Deidre Mezbourian is set to receive £25,571.50.

Among those defeated at the ballot box, former Deputy Kevin Lewis will receive the largest payment at £25,571.50.

Former Environment Minister Steve Luce, whose 15-year States career came to an end after he failed to secure a Senatorial seat, will receive £18,087.16.

Reform Jersey leader and former Housing Minister Sam Mézec is due to receive £15,280.53 after finishing outside the top nine in the Islandwide race.

Former Education Minister Rob Ward, who unsuccessfully contested the St Helier Constable election, will receive £9,979.12.

Why are the payments made… and are they here to stay?

The compensation scheme was established following recommendations made by the States Members’ Remuneration Reviewer and is intended to provide financial support to Members leaving office.

However, the arrangements used for this year’s election are not expected to remain in place indefinitely.

The Reviewer has already determined that from the 2030 election onwards, compensation will only be paid to unsuccessful candidates who have completed at least two years of continuous service.

Future payments will also be calculated under a different formula, based on one month’s salary for each year of service, capped at four years, plus one additional month’s salary.

Important or a perk?

Speaking on the radio in his first interview – with veteran 103 broadcaster Peter McLinton – since his election defeat this afternoon, former Reform Jersey leader Sam Mézec argued that severance payments and financial protections for politicians should be viewed as a way of encouraging a wider range of Islanders to enter public life, rather than as a perk of office.

He warned that making political life too financially risky would discourage ordinary working people from standing for election and leave politics increasingly dominated by those wealthy enough to absorb the loss of income, stating that those keen to get involved in politics need “at least a basic safety net” if they are to take the risk of giving up careers to enter public service.