POLITICAL newcomer Ian Le Marquand, the former Magistrate, swept to the top of the poll and a likely new job as Home Affairs Minister in a Senatorial election which also saw Education Minister Mike Vibert lose his seat last night.

It was also a night of major success for Consumer Council chairman Deputy Alan Breckon, whose anti-GST stance contributed to a second-place finish. But there was no such conclusive backing for other ‘reform’ candidates from the Jersey Democratic Alliance and Time4Change and, despite their success in getting environmental issues higher up the political agenda, there were no seats either for the green candidates.

Instead, voters throughout the Island decided to stick with members of the existing States Executive, including Economic Development Minister Philip Ozouf, his assistant minister, Deputy Alan Maclean, and Social Security Minister Paul Routier. The other successful candidate to win a six-year term out of a record field of 21 was Public Accounts Committee chairman Sarah Ferguson.

The results gave the first indication of the likely shape of the next Council of Ministers, with Mr Le Marquand likely to achieve his ambition of taking over at Home Affairs and Deputy Breckon also in line for a ministry. Senator Ozouf’s showing has probably reinforced his claim to the Treasury, while Deputy Maclean is lined up to replace him at Economic Development in the December reshuffle, which will also see a new Chief Minster. Senator Routier may now try again for Health.

A record turnout saw Mr Le Marquand (57), a first-time candidate and nephew of celebrated former Senator the late J J Le Marquand, top the poll in every single parish, a feat not achieved in a decade – although his final total of 14,238 was the lowest top score for more than 12 years.

Education Minister Mike Vibert was the only Senator to lose his seat – the first to do so since Corrie Stein in 2002.
The result probably spells the end of his political career – he said during the campaign that he would not stand again as a Deputy if he failed to get in.

» Results and running report