Earlier today, leader of the Isle of Wight council, Lora Peacey-Wilcox, announced her intention to step down from the role next week.
The Conservative group of councillors submitted a motion of no confidence in the current leader, which is due to go to a vote at next week’s full council meeting on Wednesday 20th September.
Quigley: A brave decision to resign, rather than continue the distraction of no confidence votes
On hearing the news about the leaders resignation, Chair of IW Labour and Isle of Wight councillor for Cowes North, Richard Quigley, told News OnTheWight,
“I’m not surprised that Lora has decided to step aside, as she says, leadership is about knowing when to stop.
“Whilst I’ve had my issues with some of the decisions the Alliance have made, Lora has always been easy to work with and prepared to listen to alternatives. She has worked tirelessly for residents and I know will continue to do so.
“I also think it is a brave decision to resign, rather than continue the distraction of no confidence votes.”
Councillor Quigley went on to say,
“The Tory party are motivated solely by power, despite being rejected by voters in 2021 and not having any policies other than not building homes and further cutting services, they are obsessed with running the council, rather than doing the best for residents.
“The new leader of the Island Conservatives, Suzie Ellis, promised to work with Lora, only to table another vote of no confidence seven weeks later, so I don’t blame Lora for not wanting the stress.”
Lilley: We were not elected to support support a Conservative administration
Liberal Democrat councillor for Ryde Appley and Elmfield, Michael Lilley, told News OnTheWight that the four LibDem councillors were intending to support the nomination of Phil Jordan as leader. He added,
“All the Lib Dems (now four of us) were elected (including myself) beating Conservative candidates and take the strong view those who elected us did not vote for us to support a returning Conservative administration.
“We will support a continuing Alliance Administration under new leadership as this is the best way to get our priorities and strategies in place.”
News OnTheWight contacted the leader of the Conservative group of Isle of Wight councillors, Suzie Ellis to ask for her reaction to Lora Peacey-Wilcox stepping down, what would happen to the No Confidence motion and whether she still intended to stand for election as Leader at the Full council meeting next week.
She told News OnTheWight,
“This is a welcome decision by Lora. Her contribution to public life on the Island over the past two and a half is acknowledged.
“The No Confidence motion will be withdrawn, and yes, I intend to stand for election as Leader at Full council on the 20th.
“I will be issuing a more detailed press release, setting out our plans for the future, following the publication of the Full Council agenda tomorrow (Tuesday) afternoon”
Brodie: Support for Phil Jordan
Geoff Brodie, the Independent Labour councillor for Pan and Barton told News OnTheWight that he would support the nomination of Councillor Phil Jordan as leader of the council at next week’s meeting. He said,
“When Lora was nominated by the Alliance as leader back in May 2021 I understood it was for one year. In my view it has been time for her to go for some time now and I welcome her decision. She is an excellent ward councillor and ambassador for the Island, but not a leader.
“The Alliance administration has lost its way over the last 18 months, most particularly over its appalling mishandling of proposed school closures last May. A mishandling that should never have happened.
“The Council needs a leader who can deliver on affordable housing for rent and on excess school places. To that end next Wednesday I will support the only Alliance independent who will have a plan to do so – Phil Jordan.
“As I said in July, I will never support a Conservative leader having 5 times comfortably beaten Conservative candidates for my ward. And in 18 years I have never abstained on an important vote.”
Jarman: Hope incoming Executive Leader can be elected from majority coalition
Councillor Chris Jarman, leader of the Empowering Islanders group of councillors, told News OnTheWight,
“Empowering Islanders are content that the motion to Full Council on 20th September is able to be withdrawn following the resignation of the Executive Leader and announcement of a replacement agenda item calling for nominations. We hope that the incoming Executive Leader can be elected from a majority coalition – bringing the stability required to deal with the substantial issues our Island faces. We likewise trust that a future administration is open to utilising all available talent within the elected Members, including in Cabinet positions. These were and remain key policy issues of the Empowering Islanders Group.
“We pay tribute to the work of Councillor Lora Peacey-Wilcox over the past two years and to her sustained focus on the priority issues impacting Islanders. We are concerned, however, that many issues that the Island faces have not been addressed. We need, for example, to bring forward a policy of building council owned homes to rent for families in temporary accommodation.
“We also need to build homes that Islanders can afford rather than houses that make the greatest profit for developers. Empowering Islanders believe that the best way of achieving this is through the Council’s housing company and by claiming Exceptional Circumstances for the Island as expressly provided for in the imminent legislation that was contributed to by local resident groups, Elected Members and our MP.
“If we carry on with current housing policy it doesn’t matter how many houses we deliver as that antiquated approach ignores our key demographic and social needs and hence will never solve the Island’s ‘housing affordability crisis’. “
Article edit
6.50am 12th Sep 2023 – Response from SE added
8.01am 12th Sep 2023 – Comment from GB added
12.28pm 13th Sep 2023 – Comment from CJ added
