Sark's by-election cancelled

Monday 03 June 2019

A by-election to choose two new members of Chief Pleas won't be happening in Sark after only one person was nominated.

Frank William Makepeace has been duly elected as the only candidate nominated for one of two vacant seats.

An election to fill the remaining vacant seat will be held at a later date now the by-election due to be held on June 12 has been cancelled.

The by-election was necessary after the resignation of two Counseillors - Reg Guille and Sebastien Moerman.

It's believed Lt Col Guille's resignation came about following a code of conduct complaint made against him, by fellow Sark resident, Michael Doyle. Mr Doyle had stood for election in December 2018 but didn't secure enough votes to win a seat on Chief Pleas.

Lt Col Guille has been involved with Sark politics for a number of decades, having previously been the island's Seneschal when it was a dual role comprising Speaker of Chief Pleas and the island's Judge. Since the role was split, Lt Col Guille has been a member of Chief Pleas.

Mr Moerman was one of the 'unelected Chief Pleas' which governed Sark for a while, covering a time when firstly not enough people stood to ensure a contested election, or no one stood at all. He comes from a financial services background.