Word reaches News OnTheWight that a Motion of No Confidence has been submitted for the next full council meeting (Wednesday 19th July) against the Leader and the Alliance Group.
If successful, it’s likely to bring the Conservatives back into power at County Hall via a coalition.
Raised in May
The idea of a vote of no confidence – a means of replacing the current administration with another – arose in May, when an email leaked to News OnTheWight revealed one of the Empowering Islanders group had has added his name to a resolution to remove Councillor Lora Peacey-Wilcox as Leader and replace her with the leader of the Isle of Wight Conservative Group.
There were aspirations by the Empowering Islanders Group to call an Extraordinary Meeting back in May, but nothing happened and the issue seemed to go away. Until now.
Change of Conservative leader
Yesterday (Thursday) the former leader of the Conservative Group of councillors, Joe Robertson stepped down from the role, turning his attention to canvassing as the prospective parliamentary candidate for the new Isle of Wight East seat.
Interim leader from last Conservative administration
Stepping into his role as interim-Leader is Councillor Paul Brading, whose name you may recognise from the former Dave Stewart-led Conservative administration, when Councillor Brading was in charge of education.
Political unrest
Recent months have seen many changes in the political make up of the council.
It began with Councillor Michael Lilley leaving the ruling Alliance group to join the Liberal Democrats.
“Empowering Islanders”
Then Councillor John Medland announced he was leaving the Alliance to join a group of four others. This includes Councillor Dave Adams and then-Cabinet member in charge of finances, Councillor Chris Jarman – both from the Alliance. They joined forces with former Conservative councillor Peter Spink to form the Empowering Islanders Group.
This required a reshuffle of the Cabinet which saw it reduce from ten members to eight. Cutting costs, but spreading the responsibility.
Political make-up
The political make-up of the council is as follows:
- 16 Conservative councillors;
- 13 Alliance Group members (including two Green Party members);
- 4 Empowering Islanders group members;
- 3 Liberal Democrats;
- 1 Labour member;
- 1 Independent Labour;
- 1 Independent (former Vectis Party councillor now jailed on sex offences).
