Isle of Wight councillors clash over yesterday's LGR vote

Full council decided against a recommendation to approve a 206-page LGR proposal, ‘Close enough to be local, big enough to stay strong’, that put forward a model of five unitary authorities across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

It proposed four new mainland councils to replace 14 existing ones and the Isle of Wight retaining its present unitary position.

The plan was supported by 15 Alliance, Green, Liberal Democrat, independent and Labour councillors and opposed by 19 Conservative, Empowering Islanders, independent, Reform UK and independent socialist representatives.

Council leader Phil Jordan, who also leads the Alliance group, this morning said the meeting saw a “display of political posturing” that has left the Island “weaker, not stronger” and accused the Empowering Islanders and Conservatives of “giving away hard-won local powers and decision-making back to government”.

He told the press: “The most damaging moment came when councillors were asked to support a straightforward business case to government: a clear, simple statement that the Island wishes to remain a unitary authority, governing itself.

“Instead of seizing the opportunity to shape our future, some councillors chose to play politics, overcomplicating and obstructing the process. The result? The vote was lost and the Island’s future now in the hands of government.

“That failure means the Isle of Wight Council has now submitted no business case at all for the government obligated LGR. We have, in effect, said nothing to government about our preferred future.”

Green Party councillors Joe Lever and Claire Critchison echoed Cllr Jordan’s comments, saying they were “angry and disappointed” with the Empowering Islanders and Conservatives’ decision, adding Isle of Wight decision making had been left in a “state of limbo”.

Cllr Andrew Garratt, who leads the Liberal Democrat group, yesterday emphasised all the options presented in the LGR proposal being considered “supported the case for a unitary, separate Isle of Wight”.

Conservative group leader Cllr Ed Blake today said claims the vote was a “sabotage” of the Island council’s unitary status were “completely incorrect”.

He added those making them were either “woefully ill-informed” of the situation or “deliberately creating a false narrative for political gain”.

“Last night’s vote was to give a recommendation on which model of local government reform the Isle of Wight wishes to endorse. The resulting vote was that councillors do not wish to endorse one of the limited options presented as have four other councils within the area.

“Hampshire County Council, being one of those, are looking to present their own submission – something the leader did not facilitate for us here on the Island.

“The three models presented all included the creation of four new unitary authorities on the mainland. This would water down our potential voting power in a devolved authority as our equal vote would be worth 20 per cent instead of 25 per cent as it would be under Hampshire County Council’s proposed submission.”

Before the vote yesterday, Empowering Islanders councillor for Freshwater North and Yarmouth, Peter Spink, said it had been “extremely hard” to read the presented LGR papers, adding there had “barely been enough time” and that “a lot of it seemed to be jargon”.

In an email to councillors Jordan, Blake and Garratt after the meeting, independent socialist Cllr Geoff Brodie described full council’s decision as “entirely obtuse”.

He said: “Last February, full council overwhelmingly agreed to Cllr Lilley’s motion to support an independent, unitary local authority for the Isle of Wight.

“You will see that only councillors Oliver, Ward and myself have been consistent in our willingness to consider a merger with a mainland authority, with Cllr Mosdell tonight deciding to go with last February’s majority.

“Tonight’s decision has put that February preference entirely at risk as the government can now legitimately interpret it as a desire for merger with a mainland authority. I’m not sure all those who were in favour of an independent authority last February really understand the consequences of their vote tonight.”

He said it was “imperative” last February’s decision was “communicated very forcibly” to government, adding that whilst a forced merger with the mainland “may suit me and a few others”, it would not for the majority.

Following last night’s vote, Conservative Isle of Wight East MP and councillor for Bembridge Joe Robertson has written to new Local Government Minister Alison McGovern MP, urging her to safeguard the Island’s separate unitary authority “amid ongoing discussions” on LGR.

He wrote: “Please be assured, that the Isle of Wight, including the overwhelming majority of its councillors, wish for the Isle of Wight to remain its own stand-alone unitary authority reflecting its unique circumstances.

“I met with your predecessor and would welcome a meeting with you to discuss both this and the devolution plans at your earliest convenience. I would also like to invite you to visit the Island to hear directly from our community.”