A CANDIDATE who stood for election under the Reform Jersey banner earlier this year has become the party’s new chair.
Noah Jervis, who campaigned for Reform Jersey at the 2022 election and then contested one of three Deputy positions for St Clement at the poll in June 2026, was elected at an extraordinary general meeting on Monday, with former chair Helen Evans stepping down.
Mr Jervis polled 528 votes to finish sixth of the seven candidates in the St Clement ballot, one vote ahead of his party colleague Mick Robbins. The duo were among 16 Reform Jersey candidates, seven of whom were elected.
Members also approved constitutional changes to allow joint leaders, with this move followed by a decision to elect Deputies Lyndsay Feltham and Montfort Tadier as co-leaders.
The two Deputies had been in joint charge in an interim capacity since the election in June, at which former leader Sam Mézec made an unsuccessful bid to win a Senatorial seat and lost his place in the States Assembly.
Deputy Feltham said the constitutional changes were in line with Reform Jersey’s values as “a progressive and democratic organisation”.
“It was recognised that having joint leaders would allow us to draw upon a greater depth of experience and skills that exist within our parliamentary party,” she said. “As well as promoting greater diversity and inclusion, on a practical level it allows us to be more productive and effective in delivering positive outcomes for the public we serve.”
Deputy Tadier, who is beginning his sixth term as a representative for St Brelade, said: “It is important that the party is not seen as being about just one person.
“Co-leadership will help us project what we have always been about, many voices in one movement, able to speak for what is becoming an increasingly vibrant and cosmopolitan Island.”
Another constitutional change will require the party leader or leaders to re-stand for election every two years.
In reference to the change of chair, Deputy Tadier expressed thanks to Ms Evans after four years’ service, adding: “We look forward to working with Noah, who will bring a fresh perspective to the role of chair and who shares our strong passion for public engagement, especially among young people in Jersey.”
