“Get on with the job of delivering results rather than measuring and excusing both failure and delay.”
The group behind the motion of no confidence in the Isle of Wight council leader, Councillor Lora Peacey-Wilcox, has explained why they lodged it.
The motion will be heard at the full council meeting tomorrow (Wednesday) and could put the Conservatives back in control of the authority, if it is successful.
Establishing a majority coalition administration
Put forward by Councillor Chris Jarman and other members across the chamber, the motion is seeking to establish a majority coalition administration, removing the current leader and replacing her with the Conservative leader.
Councillor Jarman, who is now the leader of recently formed Empowering Islanders group, said a coalition can bring stability and benefit from talent across the council rather than from “only one decreasing minority group”.
Jarman: We must wrestle ourselves free from the yoke of inertia
Explaining the purpose behind the motion, he said the Island has got many ongoing challenges but many Islanders “continue to suffer financially, physically and psychologically while indecision and inaction reigns.”
He said,
“Procrastination and politicking must cease if we are to wrestle ourselves free from the yoke of inertia and actually get on with the job of delivering results rather than measuring and excusing both failure and delay.”
Cllr Jarman said the Empowering Islanders Group has chosen to be part of the change and are ambitious, committed to the Island and “not fettered by the worries of national politics or re-election.”
Motion slammed
Vix Lowthion and Cameron Palin, co-chairs of the Isle of Wight Green Party, slammed the motion, saying it is ‘disruptive, distracting and dishonourable’ and it will not resolve problems.
Cabinet member for transport and infrastructure, Councillor Phil Jordan, has also spoken out against the motion, saying it would not result in complete cross-council working.
He said,
“The only coalition open to Councillor Jarman, and his three colleagues, is to enter into an agreement with the Conservative Party.
“He has been informed by the Alliance, the Lib Dems, the Greens and Labour Party member that they will not work with his ‘coalition’ arrangement meaning he is forced to restrict his ‘coalition’ to the EI group and the majority Conservative Group.
“That’s simply not cross-chamber working with all Councillors. Indeed, he is merely exchanging the Alliance Group for the Conservative Group; No more, no less.”
Jordan: Some Conservatives opposed to coalition
Councillor Jordan added,
“Even more ironically, I understand there are a number of Conservatives who also do not support this proposed coalition. But, let us not forget how these four councillors came together. They were all fierce opponents to the Draft Island Planning Policy and do not want houses built in their areas.
“I assume they are hoping they can persuade their new Conservative friends to support their views on house building. Interesting, as the Conservative government was the driving force for the house building targets in the first place.”
2021 electorate voted out the Conservatives
Both opponents have said the motion would go against the aspirations of the Island in 2021 when the electorate voted out the Conservative administration.
The ruling Alliance administration — which has been in charge for the last two years — has in the past few months, lost four members and vacated two crucial cabinet positions.
It means the Alliance now has 13 members, compared to the Conservative’s 16.
Councillor Peacey-Wilcox has been contacted for comment.
Article edit
6.45am 19th Jul 2023 – Yolk corrected to yoke
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
