Amongst the first to declare has been former Senator Sarah Ferguson. She narrowly missed out in 2014 – the year Cameron was elected – finishing in ninth place. Eight people were elected. A recount showed her to be just over 200 votes behind Senator Philip Ozouf. On Twitter she announced: “I will be standing in the up coming by election for Senator after many calls from supporters.”
There were eighteen candidates last time round. Another of those who was unsuccessful, former Deputy Guy de Faye, has also confirmed he’ll be standing.
Geoff Habin says he’s still got a burning desire to serve the Island and is “seriously considering standing”. Also seriously considering a return to politics is former Deputy John Young: “I haven’t made up my mind yet. But, I’ve still got plenty of energy, and feel I can make a valuable contribution.”
But others have said they won’t be putting their name forward. Citizens’ Advice Chief Executive Malcolm Ferey says “the time is not right.” Former Deputy Sean Power’s Twitter declared: “I wish to state I will NOT be contesting the forthcoming by election. Thank you all for the support and phone calls.” Nor will Reform candidate Anne Southern: “I’m not sure I’m the right person for the job, but I’d love to see the party put a candidate forward. It would be great if that person was a woman. There are now no female senators.”
Bailiwick Express was unable to contact the other unsuccessful 2014 senatorial candidates: Chris Magee, Konrad Kruszynski, and David Richardson.
Two other unsuccessful candidates who stood for deputy are also considering if the time is right for another go. Both Christian May and Hugh Raymond say they’ll probably make up their minds by the end of the week.
One former States member whom many though might make a return to the House, former Senator Ben Shenton, has ruled himself out. “I don’t think if I was successful I could get much done in the time available before having to seek re-election.”
No date has yet been fixed for the election. The rules governing the States stipulate the official order of events is that the Attorney General informs the Royal Court that there is a vacancy, and that it then “makes an order under the Public Elections (Jersey) 2002, for an election to fill the vacancy to be held as soon as is convenient.” That’s likely to be September or maybe October.