The Isle of Wight Council’s Cabinet has decided to go against Full Council by agreeing to push ahead with a priority programme plan for devolution – and in the process keeping themselves in a job for an extra 12 months.
It was only last night that Full Council – made up of the Isle of Wight’s elected representatives – voted against proposals to move rapidly ahead with controversial Labour Government devolution plans.
Despite that clear indication, which many Islanders seemingly agree with, the Alliance-led Cabinet has decided to ignore the majority and has tonight (Thursday) unanimously green lighted plans to submit an expression of interest for Labour’s priority devolution programme.
On top of agreeing to push forward on the fast-tracked programme, Alliance members have agreed to ask Government for a 12-month postponement to the 2025 Local Elections. If approved, Islanders will not get the chance to vote this May and will have to make do with the Alliance administration for another 12 months.
In short, by agreeing to ask Government for the postponement, Alliance councillors have voted to keep their positions – and associated allowances – for 12 months longer than expected.
Earlier today, Isle of Wight East MP Joe Robertson wrote an open letter to Council Leader Phil Jordan calling on him to respect last night’s Full Council decision.
In his letter, Joe emphasised the risk of powers disappearing off the Island and a lack of clear benefits for Islanders, warning that the proposal from Government would see the Isle of Wight joining with Hampshire, Portsmouth, and Southampton – with possible expansion to Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole – to elect a joint Mayor.
On the flip side, Isle of Wight West MP Richard Quigley has said:
“This is our chance to have a bigger voice in our future, lobby for better funding, control of transport, housing, skills and employment support.
“Devolution presents a huge opportunity for Islanders and for our communities to thrive.”
Devolution refers to the transfer or delegation of power from central government to local or regional administrations.
The government has described its White Paper as initiating the ‘biggest transfer of power out of Westminster to England’s regions this century’. Its proposals include ‘delivering deeper powers for more areas’ with new regional Strategy Authorities and mayors across England.
I am no fan of Quigley, but devolution is a great
opportunity for the island to prosper.
Many islanders are against it, but imagine if
Mainland Hospitals turned Islanders away they
wouldn’t be happy, islanders are happy for mainland
intervention when it suits.
You live in cuckoo land, do you think some stuck up self serving “mayor” on the mainland will care about the island??
So do you think IW Council care?, they care about themselves
only.
What other council charges their residents 50p to use
toilets and a nightly charge of £2.00 to park your vehicle.
not to mention the most expensive green waste charges
in the country, many councils on the mainland charge
half of what IW Council charge residents, not to
mention one of the most expensive Council taxes in the country.
I could mention the Ferries too and the Floating bridge,
where does one stop.
Get with it, we couldn’t be worse off than we already are.
Devolution of power from central government is much more likely to achieve improvements to transport, both on and off the Island.
The island is a dinosaur and needs change.
What a disgusting little weasel Jordan is, lining his own and his cronies pockets for 1 last year of power, just damn well go you irritating, self entitled, ignorant, LITTLE man. This council has proved time and time again they couldn’t even run a tap, let alone a full council. Useless. This Aprils council tax rise will be a big one, oh and the precepts too, beware.
Did I go to sleep & miss something? I thought we lived in a democracy, this is the thin edge of the wedge, time we all stood up & got rid of these dictators before it’s too late.
It is a democracy. The government and the council won elections.
Its only a democracy when the electorate have a vote. This decision will take it away for at least 12 months, possibly more!
We no longer live in a democratic country.
Any English teachers looking for a prime example of bias in a newspaper article?
What part of “On top of agreeing to push forward on the fast-tracked programme, Alliance members have agreed to ask Government for a 12-month postponement to the 2025 Local Elections. If approved, Islanders will not get the chance to vote this May and will have to make do with the Alliance administration for another 12 months.” did you miss? That isn’t bias, it’s taking our vote away for a minimum of 12 months
never trust anything Labour wants or says.
Yes, that’s what the Cabinet has done: submitted an expression of interest. Not made a commitment (how could they since no-one knows what the deal might be?).
“Full council” (“full” in what sense, I wonder – not brain-power for sure) obviously hadn’t read the white paper, so failed to appreciate that this is an opportunity to test the water, with no obligation to follow through on any arrangement that they didn’t (or in future might not) approve of.
Short sighted? Just a bit.
No, What the “Cabinet” has actually done is taken away your, and everyone else’s, democratic vote for at least 12 months!
This decision is way too important to be trusted to the dictatorship at county hall. It represents an huge change for this Island. A change of this magnitude should go to an Island wide referendum.
What do we Islanders have to do to make this dictatorial cabinet listen to us? If we are ignored in this disgraceful way, who knows where it will end? They should be held to account and enact the will of the public, not the interests of a select few!
So in reality we have a council who are afraid of local elections because they know they will be out of a job. It looks and sounds just like a dictatorship works.
Couldn’t agree more! disgusting behaviour. Sir Keir Stoma (because he is full of sh*t) and his brainless woke & diverse cabinet are complete dictators, you will have NO freedom of speech, the state will terrify you in to confirming to its massive authoritarian long term agenda. Forget being an individual or being able to disagree with anyone. O how I pity the young (I am not old BTW just an awakened individual), they have NO idea what they are letting themselves in for. Unfortunately we are going to have to wait and hopefully get our chance to remove him together with the rest of his ghastly bunch. Sadly by then it will probably be too late.
The Labour/Liberal councillors masquerading as “Independents” are desperate to extend the period the trough will be open to them.
Bearing in mind that the IW council leaders now and before the current crew , have had considerable difficulties , it is my considered opinion that it’s about time someone else took the ropes so to speak.
Not that I agree with politicians that often , but I think Labour now need to get their finger out and sort out this sorry mess , for the sake of us Islanders
Genuine question – are we all worrying about this too early as at this stage, it is only an application. From what I understand, decision on applications will be announced at the end of the month – so it’s not a done deal yet. I would imagine though that if we are refused, the Cabinet will have a melt down as they will have totally antagonised all those against this proposal and will have to go to election in May!! I bet they have fingers, toes and everything else crossed that this goes through. We will see.
When Isle of Wight council jobs go off the island remember the names of the alliance as they are the ones who lost the jobs just to gain another 12 months of pay and perks. Voted in to look after islanders, but only interested in themselves. Typical greedy politicians
Democracy? Wassat?
Who the he’ll do these councillors think they are and what has happened to democracy!!
The elected councillors voted against it and a minority, who have given themselves power have chosen to over rule them how can this be right.
Is there no way that we as the residents and tax payers of the Isle of Wight can demand an immediate election due to having no confidence in the current council or demand the removal of those who are against our wishes.
Devoluton means mainland takes charge of iow affairs so if your a labour party it means less people to lie too to be in power. People like Enough is Enough is living proof that people don’t understand the reality just believe the snippets that Labour tell them. This plan although sounds like it will benefits is open to failed plans that Labour love like equity and diversity or social issues. This means that if someone on the board decides iow aren’t in whatever category they want then we lose out so say no voice