The Green Party s Claire Critchison, and County Hall. IT WAS the shock of the election Isle of Wight Council leader Dave Stewart losing his ward seat to the Green Party s Claire Critchison. So who is this new face on the council, what s her background and what are her hopes for the Island. Residents of Chale, Niton and Shorwell would have been familiar with Claire and her family after all, they ve lived in the area for at least six generations! She grew up in Chale village and attended Chale Primary School, St Andrew s Church and Chale Methodist Church, and has been involved in village events as well as the youth club in Shorwell and Brownies in Niton.