By Isle of Wight Observer
A Reform councillor, who resigned this week after being criticised for not attending meetings, was still struggling after a bereavement, according to the interim chairman of the Island’s Reform Party.
Cllr Caroline Gladwin, said that David Maclean, elected to represent Lake North just over three months ago, was still trying to support his family after the death, but faced an ‘onslaught’ of criticism from the Conservatives because he represented Reform. Nigel Farage’s party scored 28 per cent in the latest You Gov opinion poll, 10 points ahead of the Conservatives and seven points in front of Labour.
This week it was reported that Mr Maclean had failed to attend three meetings of the Children’s Services, Education and Skills Committee. However, Cllr Gladwin pointed out that there had only been two formal meetings of the committee since the May election, and at the second one she attended as a substitute for her colleague, with three other councillors also being substituted. She said Cllr Brading had ‘singled out’ her colleague who said Mr Maclean should “consider his position”.
Cllr Brading told the IW Observer that he was unaware of Mr Maclean’s personal circumstances. He added: “I have every sympathy for his position and wish him and his family well. Of course if I had known it may have been different, as it could if Cllr Gladwin had the decency to talk to me in advance.”
There will now be a by-election held on Thursday, October 2.
