2021 Isle of Wight Council election|
|
|
| Turnout | 36.93%  3.99 pp |
|---|
| |
First party |
Second party |
Third party |
| |
 |
|
|
| Leader |
Dave Stewart |
|
|
| Party |
Conservative |
Independent |
Green |
| Leader's seat |
Chale, Niton and Shorwell (lost) |
|
|
| Last election |
25 seats, 41.3% |
11 seats, 28.2% |
1 seats, 12.6% |
| Seats before |
23 |
14 |
1 |
| Seats won |
18 |
13 |
2 |
| Seat change |
7 |
 2 |
1 |
| Popular vote |
15,825 |
9,981 |
4,541 |
| Percentage |
38.7% |
24.4% |
11.1% |
| Swing |
2.6% |
3.8% |
1.5% |
|
| |
Fourth party |
Fifth party |
Sixth party |
| |
|
 |
 |
| Leader |
Ian Stephens |
Richard Quigley |
Andrew Garratt |
| Party |
Island Independent Network |
Labour |
Liberal Democrats |
| Leader's seat |
Ryde West |
Cowes North |
Parkhurst and Hunnyhill |
| Last election |
New grouping |
1 seat, 9.7% |
2 seats, 6.2% |
| Seats before |
1 |
1 |
1 |
| Seats won |
2 |
1 |
1 |
| Seat change |
2 |
 |
1 |
| Popular vote |
1,327 |
4,760 |
2,139 |
| Percentage |
3.2% |
11.6% |
5.2% |
| Swing |
3.2% |
1.9% |
1.0% |
|
| |
Seventh party |
Eighth party |
| |
|
|
| Leader |
Jonathan Bacon |
Daryll Pitcher |
| Party |
Our Island |
Vectis Party |
| Leader's seat |
Brading and St Helens |
Wootton Bridge |
| Last election |
New party |
New party |
| Seats won |
1 |
1 |
| Seat change |
1 |
1 |
| Popular vote |
1,427 |
886 |
| Percentage |
3.5% |
2.2% |
| Swing |
3.5% |
2.2% |
|
 Election results |
Council leader before election
Dave Stewart
Conservative |
Council leader after election
Lora Peacey-Wilcox
The Alliance Group |
|
Elections to Isle of Wight Council took place on 6 May 2021 as part of the 2021 United Kingdom local elections. These were held at the same time as the elections for the Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner.[1] The elections saw the Conservatives lose control of the council, losing seats against the national trend for the party.
Results summary
| Party |
Seats |
Candidates |
Votes |
Vote % |
|
Conservative |
18 |
7 |
39 |
15,825 |
2,552 |
38.7 |
2.6 |
|
Independent |
13 |
2 |
22 |
9,981 |
2,527 |
24.4 |
3.8 |
|
Green |
2 |
1 |
19 |
4,541 |
1,056 |
11.1 |
1.5 |
|
Island Independent Network |
2 |
2 |
6 |
1,327 |
1,327 |
3.2 |
3.2 |
|
Labour |
1 |
|
28 |
4,760 |
452 |
11.6 |
1.9 |
|
Lib Dem |
1 |
1 |
12 |
2,139 |
636 |
5.2 |
1.0 |
|
Our Island |
1 |
1 |
5 |
1,427 |
1,427 |
3.5 |
3.5 |
|
Vectis Party |
1 |
1 |
3 |
886 |
886 |
2.2 |
2.2 |
|
Freedom Alliance |
0 |
|
1 |
38 |
38 |
0.09 |
0.09 |
|
TUSC |
0 |
|
1 |
20 |
20 |
0.05 |
0.05 |
| Total |
39 |
1 |
136 |
40,944 |
608 |
|
Background
New ward divisions were used for this election, with thirty wards changing,[3] with the number of wards reduced by one to 39 single-member seats.[4] In the previous election, the Conservatives had won a majority with twenty five seats, with Independents (including the Island Independent Group), Liberal Democrats, Greens, and Labour also winning seats.
For the 2021 election, as well as existing independent candidates, the new Our Island also announced its intention to support several independent candidates.[5][6][7]
Aftermath
The incumbent Conservative leader of the council lost his seat to the Green Party,[8] and was replaced as group leader by Steve Hastings, who subsequently invited other councillors to coalition talks.[9]
On 26 May, independent councillor Lora Peacey-Wilcox was elected leader of the council with 20 votes to Hastings’s 18. There was a single abstention from the Labour councillor, who was absent.[10] Island Independent Network councillor Ian Stephens was elected her deputy. Independent councillor Geoff Brodie was elected as the Chair of the Council, with Green councillor Claire Critchison elected Vice-Chair.[11][12]
The leadership and cabinet - termed the "Alliance Group" - includes Independent, Green, Island Independent Network and Our Island councillors who together make up 18 of the 39 seats on the council. With the additional external support from the Liberal Democrats and the Vectis Party this constitutes a majority of 20 out of the 39 council seats.[13][14]
In August 2021, Cllr Brodie quit the Alliance Group over planning issues, but continues to support the administration.[15][16]
Division results
Brighstone, Calbourne and Shalfleet
Chale, Niton and Shorwell
Cowes South and Northwood
Freshwater North and Yarmouth
Newchurch, Havenstreet and Ashey
Wroxall, Lowtherville and Bonchurch
Changes 2021–2026
- Michael Lilley, elected as an independent, joined the Liberal Democrats in May 2023.[17]
- Clare Mosdell, elected as a Conservative, left the party to sit as an independent in August 2025, having previously led the Conservative group on the council.[18]
- The Our Island party deregistered on 15 October 2025; its sole councillor, Jonathan Bacon, continued to sit as an independent.[19]
- In February 2026, independent councillors Geoff Brodie and Clare Mosdell formed a new group, Very Broad Church, for tactical collaboration in the final months of the term.[20]
- In February 2026, Reform UK removed the whip from Caroline Gladwin (Central Rural) following an internal investigation; the whip was restored in March, but she was not selected to stand for the party again and contested the 2026 election as an independent.[21][22]
- In February 2026, independent councillor Ian Dore (council chair) left the Alliance group, citing his responsibility to run council meetings fairly and impartially.[23]
By-elections
Brighstone, Calbourne and Shalfleet
A by-election was held in Brighstone, Calbourne and Shalfleet on 24 November 2022, triggered by the resignation of Conservative councillor Steve Hastings.[24]
Wootton Bridge
A by-election was held in Wootton Bridge on 24 August 2023, triggered by the resignation of Daryll Pitcher, the leader and only elected member of the Vectis Party, after being imprisoned for rape.[25]
Ventnor and St Lawrence
A by-election was held in Ventnor and St Lawrence on 21 December 2023, triggered by the resignation of Conservative councillor Gary Peace.[27]
Central Rural
A by-election was held in Central Rural on 1 May 2025, triggered by the resignation of Conservative councillor Suzy Ellis.[28]
Freshwater South
A by-election was held in Freshwater South on 1 May 2025, triggered by the resignation of independent (Empowering Islanders) councillor John Medland.[29]
Lake North (May 2025)
The by-election was triggered by the resignation of Conservative councillor Tig Outlaw.[30]
Wroxall, Lowtherville and Bonchurch
The by-election was triggered by the resignation of independent councillor Rodney Downer.[31]
Lake North (Oct 2025)
The by-election was triggered by the resignation of Reform UK councillor David Maclean.[33]
References
- ↑ "Elections Management - Service Details". www.iow.gov.uk. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
- "2021 ISLE OF WIGHT LOCAL ELECTION – FULL RESULTS". Island Echo. 7 May 2021. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
- ↑ "What will the Isle of Wight be voting for on May 6? Election explained". Isle of Wight County Press. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
- ↑ "Local Government Boundary Commission for England Consultation Portal". consultation.lgbce.org.uk. Archived from the original on 26 March 2021. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
- ↑ "Our Island announce their first candidates for May 2021 Isle of Wight council elections". Isle of Wight News from OnTheWight. 1 February 2021. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
- ↑ "Our Island Archives". Isle of Wight News from OnTheWight. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
- ↑ Toogood, Darren (1 February 2021). "FIRST 'OUR ISLAND' ELECTION CANDIDATES ANNOUNCED". Retrieved 5 April 2021.
- ↑ "Conservative Isle of Wight Council Leader loses seat to Green".
- ↑ "Acting Tory leader invites opposition councillors to join and form majority".
- ↑ "Conservatives promise 'robust' opposition as Team Alliance wins council control".
- ↑ "Lora Peacey-Wilcox Elected as the New Leader of the Isle of Wight Council". 26 May 2021.
- ↑ "Isle of Wight Council appoints Independent Lora Peacey-Wilcox as new leader". BBC News. 27 May 2021.
- ↑ "Isle of Wight Council under new leadership".
- ↑ "Isle of Wight Council appoints Independent Lora Peacey-Wilcox as new leader". BBC News. 27 May 2021.
- ↑ "Geoff Brodie resignation: Council leader pleased by promise of support".
- ↑ "Council chair quits ruling Alliance Group".
- ↑ "Isle of Wight power shift: Cllr Michael Lilley bids farewell to Alliance Group". 9 May 2023. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
- ↑ Pickles, Rufus (14 August 2025). "Former leader of County Hall Conservatives resigns from group". Isle of Wight County Press. Retrieved 28 July 2026.
- ↑ "Our Island [De-registered 15/10/25]". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 28 July 2026.
- ↑ Pickles, Rufus (10 February 2026). "New Isle of Wight political group 'Very Broad Church' formed for tactical collaboration". On the Wight. Retrieved 28 July 2026.
- ↑ Pickles, Rufus (4 February 2026). "Caroline Gladwin removed as Reform UK councillor after internal investigation findings". On the Wight. Retrieved 28 July 2026.
- ↑ Cooper, Alex (16 April 2026). "Isle of Wight councillor not selected by Reform UK local party". Isle of Wight County Press. Retrieved 28 July 2026.
- ↑ Pickles, Rufus (27 May 2026). "Jonathan Bacon returns as Isle of Wight Council leader backed by Reform UK votes". On the Wight. Archived from the original on 28 July 2026. Retrieved 28 July 2026.
- ↑ Hill, Louise (18 October 2022). "Tory resignation by 'disillusioned' ex leader prompts possible election in Isle of Wight next month". Hampshire Live. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
- ↑ "Councillor Daryll Pitcher resigns months after rape conviction". BBC News. 13 July 2023. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
- ↑ "Declaration of Result of Poll: Ventnor and St Lawrence". Isle of Wight Council. Archived from the original on 28 July 2026. Retrieved 28 July 2026.
- ↑ "Isle of Wight Councillor resigns for Ventnor and St Lawrence". 23 October 2023. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
- ↑ Perry, Sally (6 March 2025). "Isle of Wight elections: Central Rural to elect new councillor on 1st May". On the Wight. Retrieved 28 July 2026.
- ↑ Perry, Sally (21 March 2025). "Is your Isle of Wight councillor planning to stand down for a May by-election or carry on until 2026?". On the Wight. Retrieved 28 July 2026.
- ↑ Perry, Sally (21 March 2025). "Is your Isle of Wight councillor planning to stand down for a May by-election or carry on until 2026?". On the Wight. Retrieved 28 July 2026.
- ↑ Moreno, Jon (6 June 2025). ""I'm just an ordinary bloke" says retired Rodney Downer reflecting on council career". Isle of Wight County Press. Retrieved 28 July 2026.
- ↑ "Isle of Wight Council By-election Autumn 2025". Isle of Wight Council. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
- ↑ "Isle of Wight Reform UK councillor resigns after four months". BBC News. 20 August 2025. Retrieved 28 July 2026.
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