The first-ever Green Party group has been formed on the Isle of Wight Council following the recent local elections, with 2 councillors set to represent the party at County Hall.
Councillor Claire Critchison, representing Chale, Niton and Shorwell, has been re-elected for a second term and will lead the new group alongside newly-elected Councillor Vix Lowthion, who represents Carisbrooke and Gunville.
After 5 years working within a larger team of Independent councillors at County Hall, the pair will now sit as an official Green Party group.
The group says it will prioritise improving transport links across the Isle of Wight, including buses, rail services and cycle routes. They also plan to work with community groups in a bid to secure better ferry services for Islanders.
Improving water quality around the Island’s coastline and rivers has also been highlighted as a key aim, alongside measures to improve road safety through the introduction of quiet roads in rural areas.
The Green councillors say they will work across party lines on issues including the Council’s financial sustainability and improving equality in health and education outcomes, particularly for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Claire Critchison, Green group leader, has said:
“This new council represents the full spectrum of political parties and independents and has a vital opportunity to improve the lives of residents.
Article continues below this advertisement “Green councillors will always work collaboratively with any councillors who share our aims of equality and fairness, putting our environment and the needs of vulnerable islanders first.
“As a new group, we look forward to getting to work in County Hall – we are always listening and we welcome residents to get in touch if they need our support.”
Full Council meets at County Hall in Newport today (Wednesday) from 18:00.
I bet they wont get many gigs…
I think two councillors hardly constitutes a group, if one is absent or not talking to the other they cannot even have a quorum.
Shows how clever the greens are, since when has 2 been a group, a duo or pair, would be more in fitting. Doh!!!
I remember many many years ago seeing Vix, and a friend of hers, on a weekly basis, at West Wight Sports Centre at one of the many after school swimming clubs. They used to sit and let the children run riot through the public areas….and I mean run riot!! Not a chastisement in sight nor a modicum of thought for anyone that was unlucky enough to be around them.
If I am ever tempted to vote Green this memory brings me rapidly to my senses!
Think yourself lucky that you never met Lowthsome’s “partner”.
Surprised that Critchison is allowed to be the Leader of this enormous group.
The Green Party – you really can call their Leader – Dave; right Zach?
In modern day Britain show me a parent who controls
their nippers.
In the old days we controlled ours.
Notice how they promise the same thing as everyone else. The green party will never work with anyone except themselves and no matter how much they say they will be they wont. They are 10x worse than labour.
“Notice how they promise the same thing as everyone else.”
well… reform promised to stop the boats, and get starmer out,..
(Neither of which have happened…)
I don’t remember the Greens promissing either of those
Couple of knots in your thread of logic, mate. Firstly, Reform cant do anything about the small boats as they are not in government. Secondly, the only people that can get Starmer out are in his own party. That’s Labour, by the way.
Perhaps they could be discussing if David oh sorry zack has paid his council tax on his barge ,now they have a group.
Crumbs what a meeting with two of the most boring people i have ever met
Oh no! Love the comments, sensible people.
God help us
Let’s see if they can make our roads a safer place
remember guys – 20mph is plenty!
This is really funny when their glorious leader is under formal investigation for not paying his council tax.
The Greens have moved from being a national joke to being a national menace. This is not what I would call improvement.
Greens, oh dear, by continuing to call themselves Greens they clearly support the policies of their pathetic leader despite what they say they will do for Islanders.
Can smell there stench through my phone