Board heavyweight joins Minister-backed Jersey Alliance party

Tuesday 02 November 2021

A UK policy heavyweight, who previously held the reins to Andium, Jersey Development Company and the island’s competition watchdog, will be standing for election as a Jersey Alliance candidate.

Sir Mark Boleat, who was born in Jersey, has produced reports for the Government on population policy, housing, consumer affairs and the finance sector.

He said he had “hugely enjoyed the various roles” he has held in Jersey, but had become “frustrated by a political system which does not do justice to the people of Jersey.”

“I believe that the Alliance can give Jersey the Government that it deserves in what are sure to be challenging times,” Sir Mark commented.

He will be assisting the Jersey Alliance – which is backed by Chief Minister Senator John Le Fondré and chaired by Home Affairs Minister Deputy Gregory Guida – with its policy development ahead of the 2022 election.

Pictured: Sir Mark was appointed Interim Chair of social housing provider Andium Homes by Government in 2019.

“I believe that that I can build on my significant practical experience in handling public policy issues in both Jersey and the UK to help the Alliance develop a credible and comprehensive series of policies to put before the electorate,” said Sir Mark, who was Chair of the City of London’s Corporation Policy and Resources Committee between 2012 and 2017.

He has also previously been Director General of the Building Societies Association, the Council of Mortgage Lenders and the Association of British Insurers, a director of a number of listed and private companies, Chair of several charities and Chair of governors of a large central London Academy.

He was knighted in 2017 for services to the finance sector and local Government in London, and is currently Chair of Link Scheme Ltd, which runs the Britain’s cash dispenser network, and a Vice Chair of the Advisory Board of the International Business and Diplomatic Exchange.

In 2019, he was appointed temporary Chair of the island’s main social housing provider, Andium Homes, to help soothe the fallout of a row over executive pay that sparked the departures of then-Chair and former Chief Minister Frank Walker and Vice-Chair Heather Bestwick.

Party Treasurer and Assistant Chief Minister Deputy Rowland Huelin described Sir Mark’s candidacy as a “major coup."

Deputy Guida said the Jersey Alliance was “immensely proud that someone of the calibre of Sir Mark Boleat has chosen to stand with us at the 2022 elections. We believe he will be a huge asset to Jersey and we are looking forward to working with him.”

Launching the party back in July, Deputy Guida explained that the current Government Plan was effectively the party’s manifesto, and that the party aimed to secure a majority of States Assembly seats to ensure it can be delivered.

The party also has the support of Assistant Treasury Minister Deputy Linsday Ash, who is Membership Secretary, as well as Assistant Chief Minister Constable Richard Buchanan, Treasury Minister Deputy Susie Pinel, Education Minister Deputy Scott Wickenden, Social Security Minister Deputy Judy Martin, and Trinity Constable Philip Le Sueur.

Pictured: Chair of the Jersey Alliance, Deputy Gregory Guida, speaking during its official launch in July.

Previous St. Saviour election candidate and Party Secretary Mary O’Keeffe has also thrown her hat in the ring, as has local ecologist Piers Sangan.

Sir Mark said he hoped more members of the community would come forward.

To that end, the party recently launched a formal mentoring scheme for prospective candidates. 

They also said they will be supporting its members’ campaigns by raising funds for them, strategic constituency placements, and providing media and hustings training.

“The current method of operation of the States Assembly is clearly a deterrent to people who would be excellent members from becoming involved. The Alliance aims to address this issue so that the Assembly becomes the place where the real issues facing Jersey are properly addressed rather than a debating forum,” Sir Mark said.

Other parties running in the 2022 elections include Reform Jersey, which declared themselves as the official 'opposition' to Government last year, and the Progress Party, which is led by sitting politicians Senator Steve Pallett and Deputy Steve Luce.

The Jersey Liberal Conservatives, who are spearheaded by former Bailiff and External Relations Minister Sir Philip Bailhache, have launched as a 'movement' rather than a political party, and are yet to share details of any candidates they will be fielding in the election.