By Carole Dennett
One of the most common complaints heard about the Isle of Wight Council is that the various groups and political parties simply won’t work together for the good of the Island.
Could that be coming to an end now that the two largest groups on the council are both led by women? There may be a few green shoots of hope if events at Wednesday’s full council meeting are anything to go by. A vote of no confidence in council leader, Lora Peacey-Wilcox, and her Alliance group cabinet, proposed by Cllr Chris Jarman, was dramatically withdrawn after new Tory leader, Cllr Suzie Ellis, declared her group was not prepared to support it.
Since the new Empowering Islanders (EI) group was formed in May, it has been claimed it would lead to change at the top of the council. EI includes three former Alliance members, including Cllr Jarman, and a former Tory. The move left the Conservatives as the largest group with 16 members, against 13 in the Alliance, although they are supported by four LibDem and Labour councillors.
Former Tory leader, Cllr Joe Robertson, claimed this position was “unsustainable”, and entered discussions with EI to take control of the council, in a deal which allegedly would have put Cllr Jarman back in control of the IW Council’s finance portfolio. However, Cllr Robertson has since resigned as Tory group leader and was replaced last week by Cllr Suzie Ellis.
Instead of taking the first opportunity to take control of the council, Cllr Ellis said her group was united in supporting her approach. She now wants discussions with the Alliance about the best way forward, with her primary objective being what is best for the Island and its residents.
In a further display of her new co-operative approach, Cllr Ellis also seconded a motion on protecting the oceans, proposed by cabinet member for the environment, Cllr Jonathan Bacon.
Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Ellis said: “We are an opposition group, so obviously our aim at some point will be to take control of the council, but if and when the Conservatives decide to do that, the detail and the timing will not be dictated by another group; it will be our decision and done in our time. I am not seeking to be the leader of the council at this point in time.”
Cllr Peacey-Wilcox responded: “We welcome that the new leader of the Conservatives is showing support and understanding of the enormous challenges facing the IW Council. The Alliance and supportive councillors continue to work on policies and strategies for the benefit of the Island community and look forward to discussing with her a new approach to working together and a new future for the council.”
Islanders who think that IW councillors all too often act like a group of squabbling teenagers can only cross their fingers and hope that with two women in charge, the reduction in testosterone will lead to less political bickering and more working together as both ladies clearly intend.
As always, time will tell!
Pic shows Lora Peacey-Wilcox and Suzie Ellis at their first discussion after Wednesday evening’s full council meeting
