The Isle of Wight Council’s Liberal Democrat group has set out its position as the main opposition to the new Reform UK-led administration at County Hall.
The group says it offered a ‘progressive alternative’ by nominating Liberal Democrat leader Councillor Andrew Garratt for council leader.
However, all 19 Reform councillors were joined by the Island First Network and All for Islanders groups in backing Councillor Jonathan Bacon for the role at last Wednesday’s Full Council meeting.
Reform councillors now hold the majority of chair and vice-chair positions across the authority’s committees.
In a joint statement, the Liberal Democrats have said:
“The Liberal Democrats have always supported the Island and as the second largest political party on the council, we felt it was incumbent upon us to stand up and be counted.”
The group said it had fielded candidates for most chair and vice-chair positions to ensure residents could see how their councillor voted.
The statement added:
“We believe all councillors do intend to do their best for the Island. However, what is ‘best for the Island’ can mean very different things to different people.”
The Liberal Democrats also highlighted political differences with Reform UK and party leader Nigel Farage.
The statement said:
“The policies of the Reform Party and Nigel Farage are a world away from those of the Liberal Democrats.
“Whilst we’re sure there may be occasions when opinions align, as Lib Dems we couldn’t vote to support allowing Reform policies to be at the heart of this new administration.”
The group confirmed it had secured several vice-chair positions across council committees.
Councillor Andrew Garratt was appointed vice-chair of the Children’s Services, Education and Skills committee, while Councillor Michael Lilley secured the vice-chair role for Adult Social Care, Public Health and Housing Needs.
Additional vice-chair appointments include Councillor Lilley on the Investigating and Disciplinary Committee, Councillor Mark Rochell on the Audit and Governance Committee and Councillor Nick Stuart on the Isle of Wight Pension Fund Committee.
The statement concluded:
“We wish Cllr Bacon well in his second term as council leader and hope he will not be swayed by non-progressive arguments.
“As Liberal Democrats we will continue to put forward a progressive alternative for the council as set out in our manifesto.”
The Liberal Democrat group is made up of Cllr Andrew Garratt, Cllr Michael Lilley, Cllr Mark Rochell and Cllr Nick Stuart.
Rather than talking about political party aspects of running the Island, concentrate on doing what is best for it.
We will soon be back into closed door meetings, hidden financial shenanigans. So, let the infighting begin.
Reform were voted in just as you were and a lot more of them which shows that Islanders wanted them, so stop your stupid games and get on and serve your community and Island
They couldn’t serve up a bowl of porridge between them.
I think they forget what they are paid to do.
Liberal democrats and progressive alternatives can never be used in the same sentence, they are anything but, they are a regressive party that seeks to tax , tax and more tax, that is why they have more in common with labour than any other party.
Normally
middle class trendies,well off,often public sector workers or retired early on gold plated pensions homes in France etc etc.
Don’t understand manual and self employed trades folk and what they struggle with.
Lib Dems. On the wrong side of history.
A case of sour grapes?
Given that the “liberal democrats” have proven themselves neither liberal nor democratic they are pointless, how about putting prejudices aside and all working together to help and protect the Island or would that be too much to ask given that nearly everything under council control is a disaster, the state of our roads, the ongoing fiasco of the chain ferry and the list just goes on and on.
Personally I went off the Lib Dems when they done an
alliance with the Tories in 2010 and when their current
leader let the Postmasters down due to the Horizon
scandal.
Lib Dems have lost my respect.