THREE States Members who stood for election under the Value Jersey banner have stepped forward to meet the expenses bills of three other candidates who were associated with the same political movement but were not elected.
Deputies Gerald Voisin, Robert Parker and Phil Romeril were named in the declarations of a trio of political hopefuls for deputy seats in St Helier as having contributed four-figure sums to others connected to Value Jersey, it has emerged.
The details formed part of the expense declarations published by the Jersey Electoral Authority in the wake of the poll, which took place on 7 June.
Former Social Security Minister Judy Martin, who was seeking to return to the States Assembly and stood in St Helier South, had her total expenses bill of £2,338 covered by equal contributions from Deputies Voisin and Parker.
Cameron Monro and Claire De Than, who stood in St Helier Central, received donations from Deputy Romeril, who gave Mr Monro £1,750 towards his total bill of £2,108 and contributed £345 to Ms De Than’s expenses, which came to £2,095.
There was also a donation to Ms De Than from Roger Trower, chief executive of estate agency Broadlands, who contributed £1,750 following a request a Value Jersey board member.
Ms Martin told the JEP that after falling 51 votes short of being elected, she had attended a meeting with Deputies Voisin and Parker at which the duo had offered to cover her expenses equally between them.
“It was a fantastic gesture for them to offer,” she said. “I’m not that well-off and I’d spent a bit more than I’d intended to, so it was really appreciated.”
Mr Trower said that he was supportive of Value Jersey’s aim to bring a fresh approach to Island politics, and had agreed to back Ms De Than after a request from Rowland Huelin, a Value Jersey board member.
“I think Claire is very good at what she does and would have been an excellent States Member,” Mr Trower said. “She put herself forward but didn’t get in, and when asked I said I was happy to contribute – it wasn’t a massive amount.”
Mr Monro said he did not wish to comment, while Ms De Than and Deputies Voisin, Parker and Romeril did not respond after being contacted by the JEP.
In a short statement responding to queries from the JEP Value Jersey said: “Independent candidates, whether they endorsed Value Jersey or not, are 100% responsible for their own expenses and for seeking any donors, if appropriate.”
Mr Huelin told the JEP that his request to Mr Trower in relation to Ms De Than’s expenses has been made “in an entirely personal capacity”.
