Reform constable hopeful pulls out of election after nomination form error

Wednesday 18 April 2018

A Reform Jersey Constable candidate has pulled out of the election race after an "honest mistake" on her nomination form saw her threatened with a Royal Court hearing.

With only one other candidate for the seat, Marilyn Carré's withdrawal means that Mike Jackson, who previously held the position, is now likely to take the States Assembly role - but that's only if the Royal Court don't order nominations to be reopened.

Ms Carré, a Jersey Hospice worker, was issued the court order by the Viscount’s Department last Friday, following an allegation that her personal details and party declaration had not been fully completed before her nominators signed her form. The hearing will be held tomorrow.

The issue was raised by the Parish Secretary of St. Brelade, who contacted the Royal Court after noticing the discrepancy. 

Delighted to be standing with my two @ReformJersey running mates in @stbrelade. Thank you @johnyhil for taking the photo! We are all excited about the election. #carréforconstable @garel_tucker #votereform2018 pic.twitter.com/s2lfS2KxyS

— Montfort Tadier (@DeputyTadier) April 11, 2018

Reform Jersey said that the issue was an “honest mistake.”

In a statement, they explained that Ms Carré had been “rushing to complete the form” just two days prior to the nomination deadline.

Despite the issue, the party said that all of her nominators had been “completely aware that she was standing as a Reform Jersey candidate” when they signed her form, and that none had “complained or alleged that they were unaware that she would be endorsed by the party.”

They explained that the bereavement services professional had her form checked by parish officials on “several” occasions to check that her nominators were eligible to sign and that her form was filled in correctly, but said that no problems were raised aside from an incorrect address, which was then corrected.

Reform Jersey have since hit out at what they dubbed a “heavy-handed” approach to a problem that “makes no material difference to the election.”

“It is regrettable that rather than attempt to investigate the matter further or contact Ms Carré to inform her of her belated discovery of this discrepancy, the Parish Secretary of St Brelade instead chose to contact the Royal Court as the first port of call.

“Having simply put forward her name to serve her community and try to make a positive difference for her Parish, and then facing the prospect of being forced through a stressful and upsetting court hearing, Ms Carré feels that she can no longer contest the election.

“Reform Jersey completely supports Ms Carré’s decision and are extremely sorry that she has been put through this.”

St. Brelade's Parish Secretary, Angela Hickinbottom, told Express that she did not have any further comments on the matter, stating that the parish awaited the directions of the Royal Court following tomorrow's hearing. She said that whether Mr Jackson is now announced as Constable will be down to the discretion of the court under the Public Elections Law, and that they could order nominations to be reopened.

She added that hustings due to be held this evening are now cancelled, and apologised to members of the public looking forward to attending.