A DRAMATIC showdown is set to unfold at Wiltshire Council today as councillors prepare to debate a motion that could remove council leader Ian Thorn from office.

Under Notice of Motion No. 2026-02, tabled by Cllr Richard Clewer and Cllr Dominic Muns, full council will be asked to back a vote of no confidence in the leader – but only if a key condition is met.

The motion states that in the event of the failure of the leader of the council to pass the administration’s budget, the council resolves that it has no confidence in the leader and will immediately remove him from office.

In other words, everything hinges on the budget.

If the administration’s budget does not pass, councillors will then be asked to decide whether they have confidence in Cllr Thorn’s leadership.

Should the resolution to remove him be approved, the chamber will move straight to a vote to elect a new leader at the same meeting.

The stakes could hardly be higher. Budget meetings are always politically charged, but today’s session carries the added tension of potentially triggering an immediate change at the top of Wiltshire Council.

The wording of the motion makes clear that there will be no delay if councillors choose to act.

A failed budget could swiftly turn into a leadership contest on the council floor.

All eyes will now be on whether the administration secures enough support to pass its financial plans – and, if not, whether councillors are prepared to take the dramatic step of removing their leader before the day is out.