Sitting deputies 'paid by taxpayer to knock on doors'

As the dust settles from the election, two candidates who tried and failed to gain a seat said they felt at a disadvantage from the start.

Would-be Castel deputy Neil Shepherd felt sitting deputies had a clear advantage over those trying to get into the States.

'I think it is wrong that re-sitting candidates are getting paid by the taxpayer to go round and knock on doors. This should be addressed and they should stop being paid a month before the election.'

Mr Shepherd was unhappy with the large number of deputies who were re-elected, the questions being asked at hustings, which he thought were bogged down in education matters, and even the way election day itself was organised.

He did, however, say he was not bitter at not being voted in.

'There were a few occasions where people were given postal votes by mistake and then could not vote on the day itself,' he said.

'What I would change for next time is that I would not run alone, I would form a party and run as a party, and there are plans for a party next time.

'The good guys did not have a chance this election.

A spokeswoman for the election team said it had received no complaints over postal voting and was not aware of the issue raised by Mr Shepherd.