The Isle of Wight Council has a new leader, keeping the authority out of the hands of the Conservatives after it fell into deadlock.

Cllr Phil Jordan won the close vote tonight (Wednesday), following Cllr Lora Peacey-Wilcox’s resignation as leader earlier today.

Motions of no confidence had been filed over Cllr Peacey-Wilcox’s leadership of the council, which she called a distraction to the authority, but walked away before any votes could be taken.

Cllr Jordan secured 19 votes in the council chamber, the same as the Conservative Party hopeful Cllr Suzie Ellis after Cllr Karl Love abstained.

Isle of Wight County Press: Cllr Phil Jordan.

The council chamber fell into deadlock, and the casting vote of Cllr Claire Critchison as chair meant Cllr Jordan became leader.

He is currently a member of the council’s cabinet, controlling the transport, infrastructure and highways PFI contract.

Cllr Jordan was re-elected to the Isle of Wight Council in 2021, after standing down in 2016 following a drink drive conviction.

He is also a member of Ryde Town Council.

Although the Alliance is still the ruling group of the Isle of Wight Council, the authority is in a state of no overall control as no one group has more than half the seats.