Isle of Wight Council leadership challenge

As the Isle of Wight County Press reported on Tuesday, a motion will be heard on Wednesday, September 20 - and it has already won the support of 20 members.  

If enough councillors support it, Cllr Peacey-Wilcox will be replaced by leader of the Conservatives, Cllr Suzie Ellis.

It is the second challenge in as many months.

Cllr Lora Peacey-Wilcox, leader of the IW Council. (Image: IWCP.)

The first time around, when Cllr Ellis took over from Cllr Joe Robertson, after he was named Conservative parliamentary candidate for the next general election, she withdrew her party's support for a similar challenge, saying it did not reflect the approach she would be taking.

Just a month and two days later, she changed her approach and her U-turn has received a mixed response.

Supporting it are three independents, once part of the leading Alliance Group and a Conservative, who together form Empowering Islanders.

The motion reads: "The Council has no confidence in the Executive Leader's ability to lead a properly functioning Cabinet and Council and hereby resolves that the Executive Leader be removed from the office of Executive Leader and that Councillor Suzie Ellis be appointed as the Executive Leader with immediate effect to serve in that office until Annual Council May 2025."

Cllr Suzie Ellis. (Image: IW Conservatives.)

Empowering Islanders' Chris Jarman said: "We believe the executive leader undertook and conducted her role over the past two years with diligence and fortitude and that few could have strived so hard in attempting to better the lives of Islanders, our Island economy and council services.

"Recognising the many challenges ahead and the difficult decisions which must be made, Empowering Islanders believe the best route forward is to establish a strong, stable administration and leadership backed by the majority of elected members,  providing clear policy direction to council staff, and able to call on the best talent available irrespective of political affiliations."

Cllr Suzie Ellis, who heads up the Conservatives at County Hall, said more detail would be revealed about why she decided to change her mind when the meeting agenda is published, on September 12.

A key factor is likely to be the state of education policy and the way the Isle of Wight Council has dealt with the number surplus places in classrooms, which head teachers say impacts finances and recruitment. 

Cllr Ellis told the County Press: "Education is a major policy issue for both the council and the Island.

"I have been dismayed at the ongoing indecisiveness over recent weeks and months – so it is certainly a key element in why we have now decided to bring this forward.

"It is not in the best interests of the Island – and the Island's schoolchildren – to carry on as we are."

Labour councillor, Richard Quigley, said: "It doesn't seem like particularly good timing, with an organisational review underway and Hampshire handing back the children's services contract.

"The council needs stability, not political turmoil to satisfy egos.

"The current administration is far from perfect, but it was what the people of the Island voted for. 

"I'll continue to work on the issues that matter to our residents and leave the theatrics to the Island's Conservatives." 

From left, councillors Andrew Garratt, Chris Jarman and Richard Quigley. (Image: IWCP/Council.)

Liberal Democrat, Andrew Garratt, one of three from his party to sit at County Hall, said: "We see no credible reason why the Liberal Democrats should prefer a Conservative council leader, instead of Cllr Lora Peacey-Wilcox.

"Many of the previous Conservative administration are still on the council.

"That administration, in tandem with a Conservative government, led to cuts across many vital services. A particularly harsh example was their cut to help for low-income families when they slashed council tax support.

"I've urged Cllr Ellis not to wait till mid-September to elaborate on her plans for a Conservative administration.

"Setting those out now would allow Islanders to consider the implications and let their councillors know what they think about changing council leadership."