"I have seen the best and worst of politics," are the outgoing words of the Isle of Wight Council's first female Conservative group leader, Suzie Ellis.

Cllr Ellis has announced her resignation from the group leader position today (Thursday) after just four months in the role, and weeks after losing a narrow bid to become leader of the Isle of Wight Council.

In a statement, Cllr Ellis, the representative for Central Rural since 2021, said: "Having been asked by Conservative members to lead our group in exploring how best we could take the helm of the council, I brought the Conservative group as close as it has been during this administration to securing the leadership. However it wasn’t to be.

"It has been a tumultuous few weeks during which I have seen the best and the worst of politics and I now wish to concentrate principally on continuing to work hard for my ward – and on my business and family."

At the end of September, Cllr Ellis stood against Cllr Phil Jordan to be the new leader of the Isle of Wight Council, after lodging, but then withdrawing, a motion of no confidence in former leader Cllr Lora Peacey-Wilcox.

A close vote saw each contender get 19 votes apiece, with the casting vote falling in favour of Cllr Jordan.

Speaking after her loss, Cllr Ellis said she hoped it marked a change in direction for the Alliance Administration and hoped the bickering could stop so the council could move forward and do what is needed for the good of the Island.

The Conservative group at County Hall will now be seeking its third leader in four months.

Cllr Joe Robertson led the group before Cllr Ellis, but stood down to focus on his campaign for Island MP.