An agreement which could have seen Island Labour join forces with the Isle of Wight Green Party at the next local elections has failed.
The IW Green Party revealed it was keen to virtually meet with Island Labour - and other Island political parties - to discuss the possibility of forming an electoral pact to topple the Conservative administration.
An email sent on July 17 from the Isle of Wight Green Party to Island Labour reads:
‘I am writing to you on behalf of the Isle of Wight Green Party Executive committee in regards to an electoral Agreement for the 2021 Local Elections. We request that this letter is distributed amongst your committee members and all local branches….
‘We would be very open to organise a virtual meeting via Zoom at your earliest convenience to discuss reciprocal agreements for local seats. We also would be sending an invitation to the Isle of Wight Liberal Democrats and Island Independents to these talks, we must work together positively and productively without grudges as otherwise we will face another 5 years of this Administration….
‘If these talks were to result in a coalition council it is something we could all call a success. Having the ability to completely change its direction and work for Islanders is something we should all work towards...'
Island Labour has refused the offer. It says ‘the party’s rules proscribe any alliances with other parties’ and that it intends to stand candidates ‘in every ward’ on the Island at the next local elections in May 2021.
In February, Island Labour’s Prospective Parliamentary Candidate Richard Quigley offered the Isle of Wight Green Party an “olive branch”. But he says this was ‘not a pre-election pact’.
In response to the recent email from the IW Green Party Mr Quigley, said:
"We offered an olive branch back in February to open constructive talks, not a pre-election pact. We have heard nothing from the Green party until Cameron's letter, so in the meantime, we have got on with our election planning. We have a solid base of support on the Island, we have outlined a serious and credible plan to come out of the coronavirus crisis and we need to concentrate on is the serious business of creating a prosperous Isle of Wight"
Daniel James, Chair of the Isle of Wight Green Party, said:
‘Opposition parties on the Island, including Labour, have sought to avoid treading on each other's toes in Council elections for many years. Labour's request for an 'olive branch' in February was responded to in good faith, as we will always put the Island's interests ahead of factional party politics. It now appears that this olive branch has snapped. The Isle of Wight Green Party has made no pact with any other party or group regarding next May's scheduled County Council election.
'We look forward to a new Isle of Wight Council administration which will be more representative of Islanders, and will pursue sound environmental, housing and financial policies in this difficult period for the local economy.’
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