Last night, Wednesday, 26 May 2021, was the first meeting of the Isle of Wight Council since the elections earlier this month.

Lora Peacey-Wilcox of the Alliance Group/Independent was elected as the new leader of the council winning 20 votes to 18 votes for Conservative nominee, Steve Hastings.

I voted for Lora. I did so because I felt that the Island voted for change after four years of a majority Conservative administration.

In Parkhurst & Hunnyhill, over three quarters of the votes were cast for a non-Conservative candidate – just under 60 per cent were for me.

Across the Island, over 60 per cent of the votes were for non-Conservative candidates.

During the election campaign, a lot of people I spoke to said although they usually voted Conservative they wouldn’t this time because of the failings of the Conservative administration.

The council now has a new administration led by the Alliance Group. As the only Liberal Democrat on the council, I have chosen not to join that group as I feel that will allow me to freely put forward Lib Dem priorities.

I will, however, be supportive of the new administration. I have worked well with many of their members over the last four years, and look forward to doing so again. For a start, I am hoping that they will open up the council and really involve residents in its decision-making. Of course, if I disagree with the choices they make I will make that clear!

The council meeting also elected its committees and their chairs. I was elected to chair the Audit Committee, which scrutinises how the council is spending public money and making sure we get value for money.

Above all, I will continue to do my best to represent the residents of Parkhurst & Hunnyhill and get the best for our community.