The new leader of the Isle of Wight council has justified why he did not pick a cross-party cabinet as the fallout from his decision continues and he looks to move forward.
Councillor Phil Jordan has announced what he hopes will embody the spirit of working together, in ‘cabinet support teams’.
Cross-party working on policy
At a meeting today (Thursday), Councillor Jordan will invite all groups on the Isle of Wight council to work with the cabinet members across four portfolio areas on policy, not to provide scrutiny.
It follows the announcement he made last week on who would serve in his cabinet, which has been heavily criticised by members across the chamber and from Councillor Jordan’s own Alliance group.
Despite calls for a cross-party executive, which Councillor Jordan said he would think about, the cabinet has been described as ‘the same people in different jobs, with virtually no change’, by Councillor Karl Love.
Jordan: Neither LibDems, Labour or Independent Labour want cabinet roles
Speaking at the corporate scrutiny committee on Tuesday, Councillor Jordan explained why a cross-party cabinet had not been possible.
He said neither the Liberal Democrats, Labour or Independent Labour councillors wanted cabinet roles, and felt due to his previous “public disquiet” over an arrangement between the Conservatives and Empowering Islanders (EI), he “would not consider” a member of EI in the cabinet.
Ellis: Conservatives ‘could not take a role if offered’
Councillor Jordan said he had spoken to Councillor Suzie Ellis, the then-Conservative group leader, before and after making his decision and was told the Conservatives ‘could not take a role if offered’ as it would require the approval of all group members at County Hall and those in the local Conservative Association.
Councillor Jordan said Councillor Ellis told him “she felt it would be impossible to deliver and they would not accept a cabinet role if offered”.
Challenge from Conservatives
However, the Conservatives have rebutted Councillor Jordan’s comments and claimed he has not reached out to anyone on the group since the day he was appointed leader.
Councillor Paul Brading, deputy leader of the Conservatives at County Hall, said there had been a discussion between Councillor Ellis and Councillor Jordan before a new leader was chosen, where she said “it would be difficult to accept cabinet positions but thought it was the right thing to do so would look to push it forward if a cabinet position was offered”.
Councillor Brading said no cabinet position had been offered, ‘really disappointingly’ which went against what Councillor Jordan said at full council.
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
