Former Chief Minister John Le Fondré has announced that he hopes to make a political comeback – as Constable of St Lawrence.
The Jersey-born and raised former Senator – who lost his seat in 2022’s election when he stood as a candidate for the now-dissolved Jersey Alliance Party – said he would be standing for the role as an independent.
The announcement came just over 24 hours after the incumbent, Deirdre Mezbourian, said confirmed on Saturday that she would be stepping down after 21 years, making her the longest serving female Connétable.
“Asked by a number of parishioners”
Mr Le Fondré said that he was “honoured and delighted to be asked by a number of parishioners to put my name forward, following Deidre’s decision to retire”, adding: “I have a proven track record of serving both my Parish and the Island, and look forward, if elected, to again serving the community where I have lived for all of my life, working on behalf of parishioners, Islanders and tax and ratepayers.”
A chartered accountant and chair of Les Vaux Housing Trust, Mr Le Fondré entered politics in 2005. He served as Deputy of St Lawrence and took on various prominent Scrutiny roles until 2018, when he became Senator, and took on the island’s leading political role throughout the pandemic.
Having survived a no-confidence vote instigated by Deputy Kristina Moore, the then-Senator initially said that he had “no intention of standing for Chief Minister again” ahead of the summer 2022 election.
After losing his seat, having secured 997 votes for the role of Deputy in newly created ‘super-constituency’ Trinity, St John and St Lawrence, he told Express that, “post-covid, people might want change and that has been the outcome”.
Announcing his candidacy, Mr Le Fondré – the third generation of his family to serve the parish and States Assembly – emphasised his commitment to St Lawrence, which he said has a “fantastic community spirit”.
The political hopeful, whose campaign colours will be red and white, was the project manager for the St Lawrence Millennium Footpath project in Waterworks Valley and Honorary Treasurer of the Parish. Outside of parish life, he has been extensively involved with Battle of Flowers and is also a member of the Advisory Board for the Together UK Foundation established by Baroness Arlene Foster.
“An honour”
He paid tribute to his predecessor, adding that he wished her “the very best for the future”.
Constable Mezbourian, who has served in various Assistant Ministerial and Scrutiny roles during her time, said it had been “an honour to work alongside so many colleagues dedicated to the people of Jersey”.
She said that, with the development of new Parish housing and municipal offices behind the Parish Hall now complete, she felt it to be “the right moment for me to move on”.
The outgoing Constable paid tribute to parish staff, and gave special thanks to her late husband, David, and daughter, Amber, whose “unwavering love and support have carried me through twenty-one years of public service”.
“I now look forward to contributing to community life in a different capacity, and to seeing my beautiful Parish continue to develop and thrive,” she added.
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