Gerald Vernon-Jackson

Gerald Vernon-Jackson, CBE (born 10 January 1962[1]) is a Liberal Democrat politician in Portsmouth, England. He has been the leader of Portsmouth City Council since 15 May 2018,[2] having previously been leader between 2004–2014, and councillor for Milton Ward since 2003.[3]

Personal life

Vernon-Jackson was born in Hampshire, England. He is the son of Jean Vernon-Jackson MBE, former Chairman of Hampshire County Council and New Forest District Council,[4] and a graduate of the University of Liverpool and University of Southampton with a Bachelor's Degree in History and a Master's in Social Care, respectively.

Political career

Vernon-Jackson was an elected member of the Newbury Council from 1995 to 2003, where he served as Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats group. During this period, he served as Head of Office for Newbury MP David Rendel, and the Deputy Director of Campaigns of the Liberal Democrats. He would also contest the European Parliament Election, 1999 as 8th member of the Liberal Democrats list for the South East England constituency, ahead of future MEP Catherine Bearder. In 2003 he was elected to Milton Ward and assumed the Deputy Leadership of the Portsmouth Liberal Democrats Group.[5] In 2004 he became Leader of the Council, a position he held until the 2014 council election.[6] Following a spell in opposition, after the 2018 council election, Vernon-Jackson reassumed Leadership of the Council in a minority administration with the support of the Labour Party council group.[7]

During his time in opposition, Vernon-Jackson ran for the Portsmouth South constituency, first in 2015 to succeed Mike Hancock, and then again in 2017 in an attempt to retake the constituency for the Liberal Democrats, however was defeated in both attempts by Flick Drummond and Stephen Morgan, respectively. In 2016, Vernon-Jackson was awarded a CBE for his services to local government.[8]

From 2012 to 2017, Vernon-Jackson served as Vice Chair & Lib Dem Group Leader on the Local Government Association.

References

  1. ↑ "UK Polling Report". ukpollingreport.co.uk. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
  2. ↑ "Lib Dems win council leadership". 15 May 2018. Retrieved 8 June 2018 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  3. ↑ "Councillor details - Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson CBE". Retrieved 8 June 2018.
  4. ↑ "Former county councillor dies after lifetime of public service". Daily Echo. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
  5. ↑ Smulian, Mark (August 2012). "Gerald Vernon-Jackson" (PDF). C'llr. Local Government Information Unit. Retrieved 12 June 2018.
  6. ↑ "Conservatives chosen to run Portsmouth City Council". 4 June 2014. Retrieved 12 June 2018 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  7. ↑ "Gerald Vernon-Jackson replaces Donna Jones as Portsmouth City Council leader". The News (Portsmouth). Retrieved 12 June 2018.
  8. ↑ "Former Portsmouth leader's pride as he picks up CBE honour at Windsor Castle". The News (Portsmouth). Retrieved 13 June 2018.
Political offices
Preceded by
Donna Jones		 Leader of Portsmouth City Council
2018–present		 Incumbent
Preceded by
Leo Madden		 Leader of Portsmouth City Council
2004–2014		 Succeeded by
Donna Jones
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