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New Leader For Isle Of Wight Conservatives As Dave Stewart's Successor Is Chosen

Cllr Hastings and Dave Stewart

The Isle of Wight Conservatives have chosen a new 'interim leader' - less than 24 hours on from Dave Stewart's ousting.

Cllr Steve Hastings has been picked as Mr Stewart's successor and will now head up the Island's Conservative Group.

Cllr Hastings has been on the Isle of Wight Council for four years and yesterday retained his seat by winning the Brighstone, Calbourne and Shalfleet.

He has previously served as the cabinet member for Environment, Heritage and Waste Management.

He is expected to be officially sworn in later this week.

As Isle of Wight Radio previously reported, his predecessor Dave Stewart lost his Chale, Shorwell and Niton seat to the Green's Claire Critchison.

The first thing on Cllr Hastings and his party's mind will no doubt be finding a working majority.

The Tories fell two short of the required 20 seats yesterday, meaning no one group has enough to take control of the council.

It's thought parties will meet over the weekend to form a coalition.

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