This Opinion Piece from Leader of Isle of Wight Council, Phil Jordan, following the failure of councillors to vote for a business case in the Local Government Re-organisation. Ed
Wednesday night’s Full Council meeting saw a display of political posturing that has left the Isle of Wight weaker, not stronger.
In separate votes, Conservative and so-called ‘Empowering Islander’ groups of councillors combined to give away hard-won local powers and hand decision-making back to Government.
Vote against remaining a Unitary Authority
The most damaging moment came when councillors were asked to support a straightforward business case to government: a clear, simple statement that the Island wishes to remain a unitary authority, governing itself.
Instead of seizing the opportunity to shape our future, some councillors chose to play politics, overcomplicating and obstructing the process. The result? The vote was lost and the Island’s future now in the hands of Government.
Our voice has been silenced
That failure means the Isle of Wight Council has now submitted no business case at all for the Government obligated LGR (Local Government Re-organisation).
We have, in effect, said nothing to government about our preferred future. Our voice has been silenced, our ability to influence the outcome abandoned, and the Island’s future left in limbo.
Dysfunctional council
This is not empowerment. This is dysfunction. Islanders rightly expect their elected representatives to protect our independence and stand up for local decision-making.
Instead, they witnessed a cohort of councillors tying themselves in knots, putting party politics and political posturing before people, and leaving the Island exposed to decisions being made over our heads in London.
Islanders deserve better than indecision and political gamesmanship
Is that really what residents voted for? To give away power? To shrink our say in our own future?
If some councillors do not want the responsibility of making decisions for the Island, perhaps they should step aside and let others who do care about empowerment and accountability take their place. Islanders deserve better than indecision and political gamesmanship.
Likely to be merged with the Mainland
I am astonished and dismayed at the political games being played in our Council. It has become dysfunctional.
I cannot believe residents want the Island merged with the Mainland and yet that is exactly what is now likely to happen as a result of this vote.
Proposals to Gov no longer include the Isle of Wight
The proposals that have to be submitted for Local Government Re-organisation will now be submitted on or before 26th September as laid out by Government in the plans for national re-organisation, but no longer include the Isle of Wight.
The Government White Paper on Devolution and Re-organisation addressed areas of the country not agreeing to join other local areas as White Spaces. Government indicated that they would not allow White Spaces and would act independently to ensure they no longer exist under Re-organisation and Devolution.
You can watch the debate from Wednesday night’s meeting below.
