The former Conservative group leader at the Isle of Wight council has resigned as a councillor after becoming ‘disillusioned by politics and politicians, nationally and locally’.
Steve Hastings, the now-former ward councillor for Brighstone, Calbourne and Shalfleet, has said he no longer believes in the Conservative Party.
A by-election will take place to find his successor.
Hastings: Disillusioned by politics and politicians
In a statement, Mr Hastings said the last two turbulent years in politics — including Partygate and scandals involving Conservative MPs Owen Patterson, Chris Pincher and Imran Ahmed Khan — followed by a lack of governance due to an elongated leadership campaign and the ‘farce’ that has engulfed the leadership since has led him to become disillusioned by politics and politicians.
He said he thinks if you fly a flag, you must believe in what it stands for, and he can no longer believe in the Conservative flag he was elected under.
Mr Hastings said,
“I have no wish to change flags or go against the wishes of the electorate who wanted a Conservative at the time of the last election, therefore I feel I have no alternative but to resign from the Isle of Wight council.”
Took Bob Seely’s seat
Mr Hastings has been on the Isle of Wight council after being elected to the Central Wight ward in a 2018 by-election following the resignation of Bob Seely to become MP.
In the 2021 elections, Mr Hastings retained his seat with a 170-vote majority.
Group leader
Following last year’s election, Mr Hastings became group leader of the Conservative group at County Hall when the then leader, Dave Stewart, lost his seat.
Failing to secure the majority of seats needed, the Conservative group tried to take control of County Hall, but lost out to the Alliance Group.
A period of illness, however, saw Mr Hastings resign his position as group leader seven months later to make way for Cllr Joe Robertson.
He recovered to continue his role on the council.
By-election
Now, almost five years after joining the Isle of Wight council, Mr Hastings has stood down.
A by-election, he said, will give residents the opportunity to decide again who they wish to represent them.
Hastings: A privilege and an honour
Mr Hastings said it was a privilege and an honour to have represented his residents and thanked them for the opportunity to do so.
He said it had been a pleasure to work alongside Conservative group members, who consist of a lot of hard-working and committed men and women, and he wished them well for the future.
Robertson: Wish him and his wife well for the future
Cllr Joe Robertson, Leader of the Conservative group of councillors at Isle of Wight council told News OnTheWight,
“I would like to thank Steve for the contribution that he has made during his time on the Isle of Wight council, particularly in his previous role as Cabinet Member for Heritage, Waste and Environment.
“I wish him and his wife well for the future and their new life in Devon.”
Article edit
11.38am 10th Oct 2022 – Comment from JR added
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
