Arise Sir Mark: CM left out as Alliance elects leader

Saturday 12 February 2022

The Jersey-born former political head of the City of London, Sir Mark Boleat, was elected leader of the Jersey Alliance party at its first AGM on Saturday.

His unopposed election means that Sir Mark will be the party’s candidate for Chief Minister, should he get elected in the island’s General Election in June.

The current Chief Minister, John Le Fondré - who is a member of the party - did not put himself forward to be leader. Neither did he put himself forward for any leadership role.

Around 70 people attended the AGM held at the Royal Yacht Hotel.

In his acceptance speech, Sir Mark said: “While the Island is great, the machinery of government is not. 

“Here I am not attempting to apportion blame to people but rather to say that the present system is not capable of giving Jersey the government that it deserves. 

“My Alliance colleagues and I can change the system so that the Government of Jersey fairly reflects the nature of the people of the Island - fair minded, efficient, working for each other and inclusive.  

“I would find it immensely rewarding to play a leading role in achieving that.”

Pictured: Sir Mark Boleat has been elected leader of the Jersey Alliance party.

At the meeting, other party roles were filled, all unopposed. Deputy Gregory Guida was retained as Chairman and Deputy Rowland Huelin was appointed Deputy Chairman.

Deputy Lindsay Ash became Membership Secretary, former Deputy candidate Mary O’Keeffe was selected as Secretary and Chris Leck, Treasurer.

Founding members Deputy Susie Pinel and Deputy Scott Wickenden attended the meeting but other sitting politicians who are Alliance members, Deputy Hugh Raymond, Constable Philip Le Sueur and Deputy Judy Martin, did not.

Senator Le Fondré, who is currently isolating with Covid, was not there but Tweeted his congratulations to Sir Mark afterwards. 

1/2 Congratulations @markboleat on becoming leader of @jerseyalliance1 - good for the Island to see experienced talent return.

— John Le Fondre (@John_Le_Fondre) February 12, 2022

Pictured: Chief Minister John Le Fondré congratulated Sir Mark on becoming Jersey Alliance leader.

Sir Mark, who has written a number of policy papers for the States as well as chair the Jersey Development Company, the Jersey Competition Regulatory Authority and Andium Homes, said he believed he could “provide the leadership that the government of Jersey needs”.

He said: “Far from being frightened about taking decisions, I relish the challenge of balancing competing interests in an environment where there is imperfect information, and in the safe knowledge that in Jersey whatever decision is taken it will be attacked and there will be some who will seek to reverse it.”

He added that the party’s priorities would include “further improving educational outcomes”, “ensuring effective management at every level of healthcare” and “substantially increasing the housing stock without altering our beautiful environment.”

Pictured: English barrister James Corbett QC was announced as an electoral candidate for Jersey Alliance at the agm.

At the meeting, the party also unveiled an election candidate, lawyer James Corbett, and said others would be announced shortly. 

Talking about the party’s accounts, Mr Leck said that Deputy Guida had funded all of the Alliance’s £5,222 expenditure up to 31 December but it had since secured funding so that it could now finance its own activities, including the campaign costs of those standing for election in June.