Dick Shenton: Major constitutional issues ahead

The former States member topped the poll in all but one parish, after coming out of retirement to return to the States Chamber.

Mr Shenton won back his seat with nearly 8,000 votes.

That means Mr Shenton won with the votes of 15.5% of the electorate.

Unity hope

Adrian Lee, a political expert at the University of Plymouth who specialises in the politics of Channel Islands, blamed the lack of party politics in the island.

He said: "It's very difficult for somebody going into the ballot box in Jersey to see a direct relationship between who he or she votes for and what then emerges as either the structure of the government, or the policies that the government pursues.

"There is no clear and close connection because of the composition of the House."

Mr Shenton has said he will not stand again after this 18-month term, but he says he wants to unify the island which is undergoing major constitutional changes, with a general election looming in 2005.

Raised profile

He said: "The clock's ticking for me and for the States members because at the end of 2005 they will get the result they deserve if they don't change their ways."

Mr Shenton will be sworn-in the Royal Court on Friday.

Runner-up Julliette Gallichan, a parish secretary for St Mary, came second with about 5,000 fewer votes than Mr Shenton, but she was the only other candidate to top a parish poll, in St Mary.

She says the election has helped raised her profile in the rest of the island, and she will continue to be involved in island politics.