Two more stand in bankruptcy by-election

Wednesday 29 January 2014

Two candidates have announced that they be running for Deputy in St Helier No 1.

Nick Le Cornu and Roy Travert – both of whom have stood unsuccessfully before – have put their names forward in the district, to finish the remaining months on the term of former Deputy Trevor Pitman, who has been expelled from the States after being declared bankrupt. Although the current term only runs until November, the by-election is a good chance to campaign ahead of the full election later this year for a three-year term.

Mr Le Cornu is an English solicitor and a social reform campaigner, while Mr Travert has been pushing for more investment for Fort Regent for many years.

The pair join former Emeraude managing director Gordon Forrest in the line-up for the by-election. In the neighbouring St Helier 2 district, Centenier Paul Huelin and Sam Mezec have declared that they will stand to fill the gap left by Shona Pitman, who was also kicked out of the States for being declared bankrupt.

The nomination meeting for the by-elections – which is the date on which any candidates have to formally declare that they are running – is on 4 February and the election will take place on 5 March. The number of voters is set to be low: St Helier electors record the lowest voting rates for the Island, and turnout is always lower during by-elections.

States Members earn £46,600 per year and there is no bar on them taking outside jobs.