By Carole Dennett
Political division and plotting is not confined to Westminster. At County Hall in Newport, the scheming is already in full swing following the Isle of Wight Council election on May 7.
Despite returning only four councillors, the Liberal Democrats are attempting to assemble a coalition that would see their leader, Andrew Garratt, installed as leader of the council – while pushing the 19 newly elected Reform councillors to the margins.
After the votes were counted, the council was once again under no overall control. Reform emerged as the largest group with 19 seats, just one short of taking control. The Liberal Democrats secured four, the Greens and Conservatives two each, and Labour one. Independents took the remaining 11 seats in the 39 seat authority.
The LibDem’s political manoeuvring comes against the backdrop of the Penn Report, which last year described the council as “dysfunctional”, citing breakdowns in trust, poor governance, and factional behaviour by councillors. Many Islanders hoped the new council would mark a fresh start. Instead, the first significant development has been a “confidential” effort to keep the largest group out of power.
A leaked email from LibDem councillor, Nick Stuart, to the 20 non-Reform councillors sets out the plan. He argues that because the “non-Reform vote share was 68 per cent”, the other parties have a “legitimate democratic mandate to take action”. The proposal is to appoint Cllr Ian Dore as chairman, Cllr Claire Critchison as vice chairman, and Andrew Garratt as leader – all without Reform votes. Cllr Stuart also states that Cllr Garratt “would not serve with a Reform deputy”.
The email lists every committee chair and vice chair position, inviting councillors to submit preferred names. Responses are being collected by Andrew Barratt, the former CEO of Tamworth Borough Council, who now lives on the Island and is apparently willing to assist with the secretive process.
Cllr Dore said he had not seen the email, and added: “The election result must be respected, as must our responsibility to work in the interests of the whole Island. The decisions should not be about personalities, party lines or political positioning, but how we work constructively together, discharge our duties properly, and give residents confidence that the council is focused on them.”
One councillor, who did not wish to be named, told the IW Observer: “I don’t support Reform, but those elected locally seem to be decent people with a range of skills and abilities. We should be respecting the democratic decision expressed just a couple of weeks ago. The committee system means Reform will get seats anyway, but the LibDems want them relegated to the least important ones. That doesn’t feel right to me.”
Conservative group leader, Ed Blake, echoed the concern. “The Isle of Wight needs to do away with tribalism,” he said. “Failures to recognise common ground led to the last five years of the council not functioning as it could. Last time, it was the Conservatives as the largest group shut out, and this time it may well be Reform treated the same. The democratic will of Islanders must be respected.”
The leader of the Reform group Cllr James Whelan said: “Although we haven’t managed to secure a majority the Island has clearly spoken on the direction it wants to go – it wants a push for change. We are determined to work with other councillors to ensure the upholding of democracy. We have had positive and constructive discussions with many of them.”
Cllr Stuart did not respond to a request for a comment.
The first meeting of the new full council is on Wednesday (May 27).
