"If we were to take control of the council, it would not be dictated by another group."

The new Conservative leader at County Hall, Cllr Suzie Ellis, has explained why she withdrew support for a motion of no confidence in the Isle of Wight Council's leader, Cllr Lora Peacey-Wilcox.

The leadership challenge had been tabled to be heard at the full council meeting last night (Wednesday), by former Alliance cabinet member Cllr Chris Jarman and others, but was withdrawn before it was properly debated.

If the motion had been successful, it would have removed Cllr Peacey-Wilcox and installed a coalition cabinet under a Conservative leader, handing control of the authority to the Tories.

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Cllr Jarman, the leader of Empowering Islanders, told the meeting Cllr Ellis did not wish to take the 'opportunity' to remove the leader or cabinet, or to lead the planned coalition administration.

Cllr Ellis said the motion did not reflect the approach she would be taking as the new group leader and the steps they were exploring for the best way forward.

It had been in discussions since May after a turbulent few months for the Alliance Administration, losing members and vacating crucial cabinet positions.

However, speaking after the meeting, Cllr Ellis said she was not in favour of the no confidence motion when it was first rumoured months ago and Conservative councillors were unanimously behind her last night when she withdrew the support.

She said she understood the Empowering Islanders may say an agreement was in place but since she became leader, and in the interim period beforehand, it had not been discussed.

Cllr Ellis said: "If and when the Conservative group make a decision to take control of the council, it will be our decision and the timing will not be dictated by another group. It is not a decision to be taken by others and then put to us."

Leader of the Tories for less than a week, Cllr Ellis said at the current time she was not seeking to be council leader but did not rule it out in the future.

When asked if withdrawing support from the no confidence motion meant she agreed with things the Alliance Administration had done, she said there had been some decisions but if they were talking specifically about the school place planning issues, then no — "they probably need some help".