Select a region
A former Senator has been remembered as an "inquisitive", "ahead of her time" and sometimes "controversial" political force, who "worked tirelessly for the island", after she sadly passed away this week.
Sarah Craig Ferguson was known for her work championing the rights of older islanders and fiercely defending St. Brelade’s Bay from over-development, as well as her dry sense of humour.
The Manchester-born politician, who held an MBA from Columbia University, was first elected to the States as Deputy of St. Brelade in 2002, then re-elected in 2005 before gaining an island-wide mandate in 2008.
In 2014, she lost her seat, but regained it in a Senatorial by-election just two years later in 2016, and was re-elected in 2018.
Prior to entering the political world, she completed an undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering at Manchester University before taking an MBA at Columbia University.
She went on to work across numerous sectors, including retail and finance, including at the Jersey Financial Services Commission.
Video: Sarah Ferguson counts up the votes during the 2016 Senatorial by-election.
In the community, she served as a Constables Officer and later a St. Brelade Centenier, and is perhaps best known for chairing charity Age Concern and volunteering with the JSPCA and Jersey Lifeboat Association.
This year, as the charity campaigner reached nearly two decades of States’ service, and having recently turned 80, she decided to retire.
During her time as a States Member, she served on numerous panels and committees, including the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and as Chair of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), which carefully scrutinises the spending of taxpayers’ money and government processes.
In one memorable recent report, her committee warned the former Chief Executive Charlie Parker to cut down on buzzwords and jargon in order to keep civil servants onside during the drastic ‘OneGov’ overhaul.
Having completed an undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering at Manchester University, the Senator had a great interest in the island’s telecoms and technological developments and was known for poring over the finer details during discussions on such matters.
Pictured: Senator Sarah Ferguson after learning of her victory in the 2016 by-election.
More recently, she stirred some controversy with her thoughts around climate change.
Reflecting on her many years of service as she stepped down, Ms Ferguson told Express that one of her proudest achievements was saving Warren Farm at Noirmont from development, although she regretted not being able to persuade the States to back a committee of inquiry into the lifeboat dispute, nor convincing Members recently to delay the drive to net-zero carbon while prices were rising so quickly.
“I was sitting with a lot of science illiterates who didn’t know what they were talking about,” she said. “Remember the fear around the Millennium Bug? Climate change is also a fear without justification. It is all a bit depressing,” she said at the time.
Ms Ferguson said her parting advice to new States Members was drawn from Ronald Reagan.
“‘Trust but verify’,” she said, before adding: “But Ministers just accept advice as gospel.”
The Bailiff, Sir Timothy Le Cocq, said he was "saddened" to hear that she had died, and that his "thoughts are with her family at this difficult time."
Paying tribute to the late Senator, he continued: "Her inquisitive nature, humour, experience, and clear views forthrightly expressed were well respected throughout the time she served within the States Assembly.
"She was a great champion for Jersey’s older generation and regularly represented their interests in the Assembly and in our wider community.
"May her work and commitment to the States Assembly last as an example to us all."
Ben Shenton, former States Member and current President of Age Concern Jersey, spoke of an islander who was "much-loved... for the things she delivered and the way that she worked collaboratively to empower others."
Pictured: "As a politician, she rarely sat on the fence," recalled Age Concern's President.
He continued: "At Age Concern Jersey she was a real champion of the elderly and the organisation has gone from strength to strength.
"As a politician she rarely sat on the fence and was always forthright in her views, even if they were very controversial. She was very proud of her Island, and particularly enjoyed her role with the Public Accounts Committee - monitoring spending and holding civil servants and others to account. She will be missed."
Former Chief Minister John Le Fondré proposed the then-Senator as Health Minister as he was building his Council back in 2018, but did not succeed in getting his choice.
He described her as a "steadfast friend and supporter", who worked "incredibly hard for the Island with compassion and a sense of humour but also never afraid to directly give me her opinion!"
So sorry to learn of the passing of (former) Senator Sarah Ferguson-a steadfast friend and supporter, working incredibly hard for the Island with compassion and a sense of humour but also never afraid to directly give me her opinion ! She will be hugely missed x @StatesAssembly https://t.co/GYLXWT1hWL
— John Le Fondre (@John_Le_Fondre) September 14, 2022
"She will be hugely missed," he added.
This morning, the Chief Minister led Twitter tributes to the late Senator.
She later commented: "I was very sad to learn that former Senator Sarah Ferguson has passed away. Sarah served for 18 years as a States Member and was well-respected in the Assembly and our community. Sarah was perhaps best known for being a forensic scrutineer of Government policy, and a strong voice in the States for pensioners.
"Those of us who worked with her knew of her care and compassion for others. Sarah fought her illness with typical courage and bravery. I will miss her greatly and send my condolences and best wishes to Sarah's family."
Very sad to learn that former Senator Sarah Ferguson has died. She was ahead of her time & is greatly missed by those of us who worked with her in the @StatesAssembly may she test in peace ????
— Kristina Moore (@Moore4Jersey) September 14, 2022
Education Minister Deputy Inna Gardiner, who worked on the Public Accounts Committee with the late Senator, also paid tribute a politician she described as a "friend, mentor and role model."
"I will always cherish our times working together in the PAC and beyond, I learned a lot from Sarah.
"Dedication to the pubic and to truth will stay with me forever."
Sad news this morning, Sarah Ferguson passed away. She will be sadly missed by me as my friend, mentor & role model. I will always cherish our times working together in the PAC & beyond. I learned a lot from Sarah& her dedication to the public & to truth will stay with me forever
— Inna Gardiner, Minister for Children and Education (@innagardiner) September 14, 2022
Assistant Minister and former journalist Lucy Stephenson later tweeted: “Sorry to hear of the death of Former Senator Sarah Ferguson. I interviewed her a number of times over the years and listened to her speak on many an occasion; she stood up for what she believed in (and often the interests of older islanders), never gave up and referred to the ‘bricks in my handbag.’
“She knew how to turn on a scrutiny performance when she wanted to and wouldn’t let subjects off the hook easily - if ever! My thoughts are with her family and friends.”
St. Brelade Constable Mike Jackson said: "She will be sadly missed in her home Parish of St. Brelade where she was Deputy before being elected Senator."
The Comptroller and Auditor General, Lynn Pamment, who worked with the late Senator while she was on PAC, commented: "We are grateful for the support of Sarah of the work of the C&AG during her time in office. Sarah will be sadly missed by many."
Environment Minister Jonathan Renouf said she was "tenacious in challenging conventional or lazy thinking, and opened my eyes to issues facing the elderly."
The Association of Jersey charities said: "Sarah was a great supporter of community and will be missed."
https://t.co/pNvU5De3JQ
— Jonathan Renouf (@JonathanRenouf) September 14, 2022
Very sad to hear that Sarah Ferguson has died. We disagreed on some issues, but she was tenacious in challenging conventional or lazy thinking, and opened my eyes to issues facing the elderly.
Former Deputy Lindsay Ash said Sarah Ferguson was, "without doubt one of the most principled people I've met."
"She always spoke fearlessly especially as a spokesmen in defending the elderly and her attendance in the States despite being unwell was an example to all," he added.
Architect Jane Blakeley touched upon Ms Ferguson's record of campaigning.
"Sarah was a champion of 'the cause' always putting people and her Parish first. She will be greatly missed, condolences to her dear son," she said.
St. Brelade's Bay Association Chair and new St. Brelade Deputy Moz Scott said Sarah Ferguson "was a strong and forceful spirit who passionately fought for what she believed to be right."
She continued: "She showed kindness and compassion to those in need. I will miss our run-ins and laugh-ins and our jokes about her handbag."
Deeply saddened to learn former Senator Ferguson has died. She was a strong and forceful spirit who passionately fought for what she believed to be right. She showed kindness and compassion to those in need. I will miss our run ins and laugh ins and our jokes about her handbag.
— Moz Scott (@MozScott) September 14, 2022
Campaign group Jersey Women For Politics commented: "We're so sad to hear that former Senator Sarah Ferguson has passed away.
"She worked tirelessly for the Island and was always prepared to stand her ground and fight for what she believed was right.
"Our thoughts are with her loved ones."
We’re so sad to hear that former Senator Sarah Ferguson has passed away. She worked tirelessly for the Island & was always prepared to stand her ground & fight for what she believed was right. Our thoughts are with her loved ones. pic.twitter.com/XQxkUTY8eF
— Jersey Women For Politics (@JerseyWiP) September 14, 2022
Former Senator Tracey Vallois, who was also part of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, said it was "a great honour to know her and learn from her during my time in politics. Such strength of character and wonderful sense of humour, she will be sorely missed. Sending love and thoughts to family and friends!"
Local businessman Kevin Keen wrote: “Very sad to hear of the passing of former Senator Sarah Ferguson . I did not always agree with her views, but there is no doubt she worked hard for Jersey over many years.”
It was with great sadness to hear of Sarah Ferguson’s passing today. It was a great honour to know her & learn from her during my time in politics. Such strength of character and wonderful sense of humour, she will be sorely missed. Sending love & thoughts to family and friends! pic.twitter.com/1QCR4K4Bt8
— tlebrocq (@tlebrocq1) September 14, 2022
Tributes have also been paid to Sarah Ferguson in Guernsey.
The island's first Mother of the House, former Deputy Mary Lowe, recalled: "We had many helpful and productive joint Guernsey & Jersey committee meetings over several years. Sarah got involved every year with our annual cricket matches, she was fun and very loyal."
Really sad news hearing former @GovJersey Senator Sarah Ferguson has died. We had many helpful and productive joint Guernsey & Jersey committee meetings over several years. Sarah got involved every year with our annual cricket matches, she was fun and very loyal. RIPSarah
— Mary Lowe (@MaryLowe501) September 14, 2022
Also touching on her love of cricket, former politician Jim Perchard said: "Very sad to learn that former Senator Sarah Ferguson has died.
"She was friend, a colleague for six years and an occasional cricket scorer.
"RIP Dear Sarah."
Very sad to learn that former Senator Sarah Ferguson has died. She was friend, a colleague for six years and an occasional cricket scorer @FarmersCricket .
— Jim Perchard (@JLPerchard) September 14, 2022
RIP Dear Sarah
Former States Member Jackie Hilton, who was first elected in the same year as Sarah Ferguson, said: "Sarah and I... served alongside each other for 16 years. Sarah stood up for what she believed in and I had a lot of respect for her. Deepest condolences to her son and wider family."
Reform Jersey described her as a "long-serving and principled politician, often providing a voice for the less well-off members of our community, including pensioners and the elderly, who she particularly championed. Our condolences are with her family and all those who were close to her."
The Party's leader, Deputy Sam Mézec, wrote that Ms Ferguson was "one of a kind".
Sarah was one of a kind. Our political views couldn't have been further apart, but she never let that become personal. In fact, sometimes our views were so far apart, that they would shoehorn back together and we'd find ourselves voting the same way for totally different reasons! https://t.co/XXmlyX6j5W
— Deputy Sam Mézec (@SamMezecJsy) September 14, 2022
He went on to joke: "Our political views couldn't have been further apart, but she never let that become personal. In fact, sometimes our views were so far apart, that they would shoehorn back together and we'd find ourselves voting the same way for totally different reasons!"
Reform's Deputy Montfort Tadier, who has represented his St. Brelade constituency since 2008 and who worked with former Senator Ferguson, said: "I was particularly saddened to hear the news about Sarah, this morning. What struck me particularly was her strong work ethic. Even in the last two years, when she was unwell, she would always make an effort to attend States sittings and spoke often on the many issues that she felt were important to parishioners and islanders."
He continued: "She spoke her mind and was not bothered by what people thought. That is a rare trait these days, for a politician.
"She taught me a lot and I will miss her contributions to the States and Parish Assemblies."
Follow Express for updates…
Comments
Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.