FORMER Social Security minister Mary Lowe will spend the next four years outside mainstream politics after failing to win a departmental seat.

The biggest name not to secure a central role during yesterday’s elections, she saw the House’s rejection of her as a snub to her electorate, although she was given a committee role on House and Scrutiny. Deputy Lowe (pictured) found it amazing that she had not been voted into a department.

‘Obviously I’m extremely disappointed but clearly the majority of members of the House voted against me today believing I was not capable of holding a senior position and didn’t want to use my expertise and knowledge of 14 years in the States, even though over 1,500 voters in the Vale supported me – more than those in the top positions. I wish them all my enjoyment of the departmental work.’

Deputy Rhoderick Matthews was another experienced member who struggled to find a job in the new House. He failed in bids for two departmental seats and a place on the House Committee, but will serve on the Legislative Select Committee.