| Honorific-Prefix: | Cllr |
| Robert Gerald van Cortlandt Vernon-Jackson | |
| Office: | Leader of Portsmouth City Council |
| Term Start: | 15 May 2018 |
| Term End: | 16 May 2023 |
| Predecessor: | Donna Jones (Con) |
| Successor: | Steve Pitt (Lib Dem) |
| Term Start1: | 22 June 2004 |
| Term End1: | 3 June 2014 |
| Predecessor1: | Phil Shaddock (Lib Dem) |
| Successor1: | Donna Jones (Con) |
| Office2: | Chair of the English Liberal Democrats |
| Term Start2: | 20 February 2020 |
| Term End2: | December 2020 |
| Predecessor2: | Tahir Maher |
| Successor2: | Alison Rouse |
| Office3: | Member of Portsmouth City Council for Milton Ward |
| Term Start3: | 5 May 2003 |
| Predecessor3: | Nigel Sizer (Lib Dem) |
| Nationality: | British |
| Alma Mater: | University of Southampton, University of Liverpool |
| Occupation: | Politician |
| Awards: | Commander of the British Empire |
Gerald Vernon-Jackson CBE (born 10 January 1962[1]) is a Liberal Democrat politician in Portsmouth, England. He was the leader of Portsmouth City Council between 2018 and 2023,[2] [3] and 2004–2014, and councillor for Milton Ward since 2003.[4]
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,[5] 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.
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.[6] In 2004 he became Leader of the Council, a position he held until the 2014 council election.[7] [8] [9] During this period, the Liberal Democrat administration was accused of covering up an independent report into allegations of sexual harassment made against then-MP Mike Hancock,[10] Vernon-Jackson himself having dismissed the accusations as being motivated by possible financial gain.[11]
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.[12] [13] Since reassuming leadership, Vernon-Jackson's second administration caused controversy due to its decision to pursue the closure of Victory Energy,[14] [15] [16] pursued the development of Tipner West,[17] sought and received approval for the development of the Horsea Island Country Park[18] and took charge of Council preparations for Brexit. In a letter to Michael Gove, minister in charge of no-deal Brexit planning, Vernon-Jackson accused the Government of underestimating the potential strife caused by a no-deal Brexit to Portsmouth docks.[19] [20]
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. He stood again in Portsmouth South at the 2019 election,[21] initially placed first in constituency polling against Labour and the Conservative candidates in a poll commissioned by the Liberal Democrats,[22] [23] however successive polling commissioned by the Liberal Democrats for the constituency would see Vernon-Jackson slip into third place, where he would ultimately poll on election day. In 2016, Vernon-Jackson was awarded a CBE for his services to local government.[24]
Following the 2023 local elections, Vernon-Jackson stepped down as Leader of the Portsmouth City Council. He was succeeded by Steve Pitt, his Ward Colleague for Milton.[25]
From 2012 to 2017, Vernon-Jackson served as Vice Chair & Lib Dem Group Leader on the Local Government Association. Since January 2020, Vernon-Jackson has been a member of the Liberal Democrats Federal Board, and he was Chair of the English Liberal Democrats from February 2020 to December 2020.[26] [27]