A motion of no confidence has been lodged against the current leader of the Isle of Wight Council — and could see the Conservatives returned to power.
Councillor Lora Peacey-Wilcox has been in charge of the authority for the past 2 years, taking control under the Alliance banner, but now faces a challenge to her leadership.
It comes after a turbulent period at County Hall, with 2 crucial cabinet positions vacated and five councillors — four from the ruling Alliance Administration — jumping ship to different groups.
The motion comes from former cabinet member, Cllr Chris Jarman, now leader of Empowering Islanders, who was ousted from his senior position after leaving the Alliance.
In it, he says the council has no confidence in Cllr Peacey-Wilcox’s ability to lead a properly functioning cabinet and council and looks to remove her from office. In her place, Cllr Jarman would like to appoint the leader of the Conservative Group as the leader of the council — handing control to the Tories — with immediate effect.
The Conservative Group currently has an interim leader, Cllr Paul Brading, after its former leader, Cllr Joe Robertson stood down to focus his efforts on his campaign for the next general election after being announced as the Tory candidate for the East Wight MP seat.
Cllr Jarman then hopes a cabinet would be appointed with members from across the council chamber in recognition of the ‘no overall control’ nature of the authority.
If the motion is successful, the new leader would serve the remaining 2 years of the council term until May 2025.
It will be debated at the full meeting of the Isle of Wight Council next Wednesday, 19th July.
In 2021, Cllr Peacey-Wilcox was backed by the new Alliance group to lead the authority — which was then formed of 18 independent, Green Party and Our Island councillors.
In the 2 years since then, the Alliance has dwindled to 13, becoming the 2nd largest on the authority, behind the Conservatives who hold 16 seats. The third largest group, Empowering Islanders, has been created as a breakout group from the Alliance with three former members and one Conservative.
It has previously said the Alliance was attempting to run the council in an ‘increasingly fragile mode’.
If ypu want rid of her this should be put yo public vote not bully boys in the council
Why waste time having one no confidence ..vote when most of the councillors should be held to account and suffer the same scrutiny .. but make it a public vote.. I have zero confidence in most of them right now. And include the MP & PCC !
Presumably Jarman thinks he could do a better job. Delusional.
Lora was the best thing to happen to IWC for many years.
What a bunch of self serving wastes of space
Vote from public is No confidence in Council. We are paying highest council tax in country yet we have poor roads, failing schools, children and adult services doing appalling job. No dentist etc etc . We need a new council and Mayor and cut the crap.
Absolutely spot on there.
Would we even notice if the council just shut down. Pay someone to empty your bins and just carry on driving on the always crap roads.
These clowns are a total embrassment. Just playing musical chairs to massage their own egos. You can’t just be voted in based on a set of policies and objectives only to flit between parties at your own whim. They should all resign and let some decent people take over.
Think it’s misguided. Based on a premise that there is no control, it can’t succeed. Because egotist councillors by their very nature want control.
I will never respect a person who was stated on National News of collecting
certain Dolls
In current times that is not good for a person in her position.
Time to go, close the door on the way out.
Collecting dolls has nothing to do with it,they are collectable and people didn’t have because they are racist,no different to Barbie sexist or action man violent. People just twist things.
The Council though are rubbish and blurt out what they are told by officers who only share what suits them. A mayor has rights to meet with staff,ask questions and see that confidential stuff that’s witheld. Way things are councils not needed and don’t get me started on parish and town Councils. Too many making money to line their own purse , taking from poor working class.
Go and move to Africa see how wonderfully you are cared for there.
The whole council are totally useless, get rid of them all.
Time for the old fart to go
Brewery comes to mind
Golly gosh! Fancy that……
Ah yes, get her out. I only have confidence in the Tories! They’ve been so good for this country for the last decade.