A new group of four councillors will be formed today at County Hall.
Following the departure of Freshwater South councillor, John Medland, from the Alliance Group, he informs News OnTheWight that with three other councillors they are forming a new group this morning.
Yet to be named, the group also includes Independent Conservative councillor, Peter Spink, who earlier this month left the Conservative Group of councillors (but remains a member of the Conservative Party).
Medland: Alliance Group done extremely good job of getting people all working together
Cllr Medland told News OnTheWight,
“The Alliance Group has done an extremely good job of getting people all working together, but it doesn’t apply to the whole of the council.
“I want to see us working across chamber as much as possible.”
Medland: Everyone is feeding off each other in a very negative way
When asked how another group would be able to achieve that, he replied,
“It’s a way of loosening up the rigid tribalism. At the moment it’s extraordinarily difficult because everyone is feeding off each other in a very negative way. One side of the chamber versus the other. I find that is not helpful, we need to have a different approach.”
He went on to add
“Majority has always been our problem, it’s a nightmare to try and make any progress.”
Two more to be revealed
Two others will be joining, yet unnamed – so not details about which Group they are defecting from – but all will be revealed later today, Cllr Medland confirms.
The move means the Conservatives have the largest group of councillors at County Hall, but not the majority.
Quigley: ‘Fisher Price’ Westminster sideshow
Cllr Richard Quigley, Labour councillor for Cowes North,
“Never a dull week in politics. Hopefully Michael Lilley as at last found a group that can live with him and Cllrs Jarman, Spink, Medland and Adams have at least done the honest thing and set themselves up as the nimby party.
“My main issue with all of this, is the average IW resident cares more about if their bins are emptied, whether they can access decent housing and afford to put food on the table than they do about this self imposed melodrama in what looks like a ‘Fisher Price’ Westminster to anyone outside.
“Those of us that want the best for the Island will continue to fight for that and ignore this side show.”
Article edit
11.05am 12th May 2023 – Further comments from JM added
11.55am 12th May 2023 – Comment from RQ added
