2021 Isle of Wight Council election

Last updated

2021 Isle of Wight Council election
Flag of the Isle of Wight.svg
←  2017 6 May 2021 (2021-05-06)2026 →
All 39 seats to the Isle of Wight Council
20 seats needed for a majority
Turnout36.93% Decrease2.svg 3.99 pp
 First partySecond partyThird party
  No image wide.svg No image wide.svg
LeaderDave Stewart
Party Conservative Independent Green
Leader's seatChale, Niton and Shorwell (lost)
Last election25 seats, 41.3%11 seats, 28.2%1 seats, 12.6%
Seats before23141
Seats won18132
Seat changeDecrease2.svg 7Increase2.svg 2Increase2.svg 1
Popular vote15,8259,9814,541
Percentage38.7%24.4%11.1%
SwingDecrease2.svg2.6%Decrease2.svg 3.8%Decrease2.svg 1.5%
 Fourth partyFifth partySixth party
  No image wide.svg No image wide.svg No image wide.svg
LeaderIan Stephens Richard Quigley Andrew Garratt
Party Island Independent Network Labour Liberal Democrats
Leader's seatRyde WestCowes NorthParkhurst and Hunnyhill
Last electionNew grouping1 seat, 9.7%2 seats, 6.2%
Seats before111
Seats won211
Seat changeIncrease2.svg 2Steady2.svgDecrease2.svg 1
Popular vote1,3274,7602,139
Percentage3.2%11.6%5.2%
SwingIncrease2.svg 3.2%Increase2.svg 1.9%Decrease2.svg 1.0%
 Seventh partyEighth party
  No image wide.svg No image wide.svg
LeaderJonathan BaconDaryll Pitcher
Party Our Island Vectis Party
Leader's seatBrading and St HelensWootton Bridge
Last electionNew partyNew party
Seats won11
Seat changeIncrease2.svg 1Increase2.svg 1
Popular vote1,427886
Percentage3.5%2.2%
SwingIncrease2.svg 3.5%Increase2.svg 2.2%
Isle of Wight UK local election 2021 map.svg
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.

Contents

Results summary

PartySeatsCandidatesVotesVote %
Conservative 18Decrease2.svg 73915,825Decrease2.svg2,55238.7Decrease2.svg2.6
Independent 13Increase2.svg 2229,981Increase2.svg 2,52724.4Decrease2.svg 3.8
Green 2Increase2.svg 1194,541Decrease2.svg 1,05611.1Decrease2.svg 1.5
Island Independent Network2Increase2.svg 261,327Increase2.svg 1,3273.2Increase2.svg 3.2
Labour 1Steady2.svg284,760Increase2.svg 45211.6Increase2.svg 1.9
Lib Dem 1Decrease2.svg 1122,139Decrease2.svg 6365.2Decrease2.svg 1.0
Our Island1Increase2.svg 151,427Increase2.svg 1,4273.5Increase2.svg 3.5
Vectis Party1Increase2.svg 13886Increase2.svg 8862.2Increase2.svg 2.2
Freedom Alliance0Steady2.svg138Increase2.svg 380.09Increase2.svg 0.09
TUSC 0Steady2.svg120Increase2.svg 200.05Increase2.svg 0.05
Total39Decrease2.svg113640,944Decrease2.svg608

    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

    Bembridge

    Bembridge
    PartyCandidateVotes%±%
    Conservative Joe Robertson 921 67.67 −
    Our IslandAlasdair Steane44032.33−
    Majority 48135.34−
    Turnout 1,36142.32−

    Binstead and Fishbourne

    Binstead and Fishbourne
    PartyCandidateVotes%±%
    Independent Ian Dore 701 55.11 −
    Conservative Ed Hopper40131.53−
    No DescriptionSimon Cooke17013.36−
    Majority 30023.58−
    Turnout 1,27243.73−

    Brading and St Helens

    Brading and St Helens
    PartyCandidateVotes%±%
    Our IslandJonathan Bacon 537 48.03 -
    Conservative Brian Tyndall38334.26−
    Liberal Democrats John Graney1079.57−
    Labour Alexander Buggie918.14−
    Majority 15413.77−
    Turnout 1,11840.16−

    Brighstone, Calbourne and Shalfleet

    Brighstone, Calbourne and Shalfleet
    PartyCandidateVotes%±%
    Conservative Steve Hastings 549 43.54 −
    Liberal Democrats Nick Stuart37728.90−
    Green Doug Alldred33526.57−
    Majority 17213.64−
    Turnout 1,26148.46−

    Carisbrooke and Gunville

    Carisbrooke and Gunville
    PartyCandidateVotes%±%
    Green Joe Lever 387 40.78 −
    Conservative Bev Hastings34836.67−
    Labour Verity Bird21422.55−
    Majority 394.11−
    Turnout 94934.75−

    Central Rural

    Central Rural
    PartyCandidateVotes%±%
    Conservative Suzie Ellis 619 57.42 −
    Green Julia Laursen31329.04−
    Labour Richard Hill14613.54−
    Majority 30628.38−
    Turnout 1,07837.15−

    Chale, Niton and Shorwell

    Chale, Niton and Shorwell
    PartyCandidateVotes%±%
    Green Claire Critchison 876 57.94 −
    Conservative Dave Stewart63642.06−
    Majority 24015.87−
    Turnout 1,51250.64−

    Cowes Medina

    Cowes Medina
    PartyCandidateVotes%±%
    Independent Laura Peacey-Wilcox 615 63.33 −
    Labour Alan Bates21321.94−
    Conservative Oscar Bicket14314.72−
    Majority 40241.4−
    Turnout 97131.38−

    Cowes North

    Cowes North
    PartyCandidateVotes%±%
    Labour Richard Quigley 587 51.53 −
    Conservative Richard Hollis55248.46−
    Majority 353.07−
    Turnout 1,13940.30−

    Cowes South and Northwood

    Cowes South and Northwood
    PartyCandidateVotes%±%
    Conservative John Nicholson 502 43.84 −
    Liberal Democrats Steph Burgess27824.28−
    Labour Philip Attfield22319.48−
    Green Nathan Stubbings14212.40−
    Majority 22419.56−
    Turnout 1,14539.78−

    Cowes West and Gurnard

    Cowes West and Gurnard
    PartyCandidateVotes%±%
    Independent Paul Fuller 1,101 77.37 −
    Conservative Tim Jeffreys20814.61−
    Labour Josh Pointing1148.01−
    Majority 89362.75−
    Turnout 1,42348.88−

    East Cowes

    East Cowes
    PartyCandidateVotes%±%
    Independent Karl Love 809 60.60 −
    Conservative Jane Rann33525.09−
    Liberal Democrats Bob Packham967.19−
    Labour Lorna Trollope957.12−
    Majority 47435.23−
    Turnout 1,33541.74−

    Fairlee and Whippingham

    Fairlee and Whippingham
    PartyCandidateVotes%±%
    Conservative Matthew Price 669 64.70 −
    Green Michael Smith24924.08−
    Liberal Democrats Patricia Packham11611.22−
    Majority 42040.62−
    Turnout 1,03435.17−

    Freshwater North and Yarmouth

    Freshwater North and Yarmouth
    PartyCandidateVotes%±%
    Conservative Peter Spink 644 59.74 −
    Green Daniel James43440.26−
    Majority 21019.49−
    Turnout 1,07840.60−

    Freshwater South

    Freshwater South
    PartyCandidateVotes%±%
    Independent John Medland 625 52.04 −
    Conservative George Cameron57647.96−
    Majority 494.08−
    Turnout 1,20138.56−

    Haylands and Swanmore

    Haylands and Swanmore
    PartyCandidateVotes%±%
    Conservative Vanessa Churchman 316 35.27 −
    No DescriptionLes Kirkby30233.71−
    Liberal Democrats Malcolm Ross14516.18−
    Labour Sue Lyons13314.84−
    Majority 141.56−
    Turnout 89632.72−

    Lake North

    Lake North
    PartyCandidateVotes%±%
    Conservative Tig Outlaw 399 43.85 −
    Island Independent NetworkAdrian Whittaker28431.21−
    Labour Gary Clarke13514.84−
    Green Paul Wilson9210.11−
    Majority 11512.64−
    Turnout 91031.62−

    Lake South

    Lake South
    PartyCandidateVotes%±%
    Conservative Paul Brading 607 56.78 −
    Labour Sarah McCarthy-Fry 21019.64−
    Green Patrick Barry15914.87−
    Vectis PartyLinda Pitcher938.70−
    Majority 39737.14−
    Turnout 1,06936.91−

    Mountjoy and Shide

    Mountjoy and Shide
    PartyCandidateVotes%±%
    Conservative Martin Oliver 389 47.38 −
    No DescriptionShirley Smart23028.01−
    Labour Alan Hunter17821.68−
    No DescriptionFred Turgut242.92−
    Majority 15919.37−
    Turnout 82129.78−

    Nettlestone and Seaview

    Nettlestone and Seaview
    PartyCandidateVotes%±%
    Independent David Adams 577 50.35 −
    Conservative Michael Ward50644.15−
    Labour Mark Rees635.50−
    Majority 716.20−
    Turnout 1,14646.99−

    Newchurch, Havenstreet and Ashey

    Newchurch, Havenstreet and Ashey
    PartyCandidateVotes%±%
    Conservative Clare Mosdell 721 60.79 −
    Green Martyn Ridgley18615.86−
    Independent Stephen Reynolds15112.73−
    Labour Anna Beach12810.79−
    Majority 53545.07−
    Turnout 1,18741.06−

    Newport Central

    Newport Central
    PartyCandidateVotes%±%
    Independent Julie Jones-Evans 349 49.57 −
    Conservative Matthew Ambrosini13419.03−
    Labour Simon Haytack11916.90−
    Green Stephen Rushbrook10214.49−
    Majority 21530.45−
    Turnout 70626.29−

    Newport West

    Newport West
    PartyCandidateVotes%±%
    Conservative Ray Redrup 320 36.82 −
    Labour Brian Quigley19522.44−
    Green Jaimie Bundell16919.45−
    Liberal Democrats Bob Blezzard16518.99−
    TUSC Bill Collins202.30−
    Majority 12514.29−
    Turnout 87530.6−

    Osborne

    Osborne
    PartyCandidateVotes%±%
    Conservative Stephen Hendry 297 32.53 −
    Green Cameron Palin29332.09−
    Independent Michael Paler22524.64−
    Liberal Democrats Julie Burridge9810.73−
    Majority 40.4−
    Turnout 92029.2−

    Pan and Barton

    Pan and Barton
    PartyCandidateVotes%±%
    Independent Geoff Brodie 518 77.43 −
    Conservative Danielle Fleet15122.57−
    Majority 36754.45−
    Turnout 67423.8−

    Parkhurst and Hunnyhill

    Parkhurst and Hunnyhill
    PartyCandidateVotes%±%
    Liberal Democrats Andrew Garratt 449 59.39 −
    Conservative Cara Lock17923.68−
    Green Hollie Fallick7910.45−
    Labour Pauline Hunter496.48−
    Majority 27035.57−
    Turnout 75927.62−

    Ryde Appley and Elmfield

    Ryde Appley and Elmfield
    PartyCandidateVotes%±%
    No DescriptionMichael Lilley 832 78.34 -
    Conservative Tiarnan Finney12111.39−
    Green Paul Hampton10910.26−
    Majority 71166.6−
    Turnout 1,06734.8−

    Ryde Monktonmead

    Ryde Monktonmead
    PartyCandidateVotes%±%
    Island Independent NetworkKaren Lucioni 354 39.6 -
    Conservative Rhys Wright19321.6−
    Labour Mick Lyons17719.8−
    Independent Charles Chapman16918.9−
    Majority 16117.7−
    Turnout 90930.2−

    Ryde North West

    Ryde North West
    PartyCandidateVotes%±%
    No DescriptionPhil Jordan 428 39.7 -
    Conservative Steven Sheridan30027.8−
    Labour Phil Truckel17616.3−
    Green Michael Salmon17516.2−
    Majority 12811.7−
    Turnout 1,09734.9−

    Ryde South East

    Ryde South East
    PartyCandidateVotes%±%
    Conservative Warren Drew 112 29.1 −
    Labour Emily Brothers 7820.3−
    Island Independent NetworkJessica Higgins6617.1−
    Green Natalie Thomas6516.9−
    Liberal Democrats Tracy Mikich6416.6−
    Majority 348.7−
    Turnout 38922.2−

    Ryde West

    Ryde West
    PartyCandidateVotes%±%
    Island Independent NetworkIan Stephens 346 37.4 -
    Conservative Lou Temel24526.5−
    Labour Steve Double21022.7−
    Independent Mike Lambert12413.4−
    Majority 10110.7−
    Turnout 94135.1−

    Sandown North

    Sandown North
    PartyCandidateVotes%±%
    Independent Debbie Andre 386 41.1 −
    Conservative Ian Fletcher33635.7−
    Labour Clive Cheetham16017.0−
    Independent Stephen Parkes586.2−
    Majority 505.3−
    Turnout 94835.0−

    Sandown South

    Sandown South
    PartyCandidateVotes%±%
    Conservative Ian Ward 359 42.9 −
    Liberal Democrats Mark Voller18522.1−
    Island Independent NetworkJenny Hicks10612.7−
    Labour Robert Thompson10612.7−
    Our IslandPauline Evans819.7−
    Majority 17420.6−
    Turnout 84629.9−

    Shanklin Central

    Shanklin Central
    PartyCandidateVotes%±%
    Conservative Michael Beston 504 50.4 −
    Green David Moorse22422.4−
    Independent Robert May14314.3−
    Labour Kenneth Crawley12912.9−
    Majority 28027.7−
    Turnout 1,01035.0−

    Shanklin South

    Shanklin South
    PartyCandidateVotes%±%
    Conservative Chris Quirk 658 61.1 −
    Labour Christopher Lloyd22821.2−
    Our IslandMike Hailston19117.7−
    Majority 43039.7−
    Turnout 1,08436.0−

    Totland and Colwell

    Totland and Colwell
    PartyCandidateVotes%±%
    Independent Chris Jarman 557 41.0 −
    Conservative Carol Bryan54740.2−
    Labour Billy Hancock19714.5−
    Liberal Democrats Michael Locke594.3−
    Majority 100.7−
    Turnout 1,36843.6−

    Ventnor and St Lawrence

    Ventnor and St Lawrence
    PartyCandidateVotes%±%
    Conservative Gary Peace 328 26.8 −
    Vectis PartyGraham Perks26021.2−
    Labour Steve Cooper24920.3−
    Our IslandPhil Warren17814.5−
    Island Independent NetworkMark Jefferies17114.0
    Freedom AllianceMartin Godden383.1−
    Majority 685.5−
    Turnout 1,23140.0−

    Wootton Bridge

    Wootton Bridge
    PartyCandidateVotes%±%
    Vectis PartyDaryll Pitcher 533 47.3 -
    Conservative Barry Abraham35831.8−
    Green Susan Betts15213.5−
    No DescriptionJohn Ward837.4−
    Majority 17515.4−
    Turnout 1,13639.7−

    Wroxall, Lowtherville and Bonchurch

    Wroxall, Lowtherville and Bonchurch
    PartyCandidateVotes%±%
    Independent Rodney Downer 862 67.5 −
    Conservative Colm Watling25920.3−
    Labour Justin Tracey15712.3−
    Majority 60347.0−
    Turnout 1,28341.4−

    Changes 2021–2026

    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. [17]

    Brighstone, Calbourne and Shalfleet
    PartyCandidateVotes%±%
    Liberal Democrats Nick Stuart 526 53.40 +24.50
    Conservative Carol Bryan23924.26−19.28
    Green Doug Alldred15315.53−11.04
    Vectis PartyStephen Parkes363.65N/A
    Labour Gary Clarke313.15N/A
    Majority 28729.14−
    Turnout 985−
    Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative Swing

    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. [19]

    Wootton Bridge
    PartyCandidateVotes%±%
    Liberal Democrats Sarah Redrup 475 47.88 N/A
    Conservative Ed Hopper29129.33−2.18
    Vectis PartyLinda Pitcher17817.94−28.98
    Green Michael Smith484.84−8.54
    Majority 18418.55−
    Turnout 992−
    Liberal Democrats gain from Vectis Party Swing

    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. [20]

    Ventnor and St Lawrence
    PartyCandidateVotes%±%
    Conservative Ed Blake 274 41.08% +14.3
    Labour Steve Cooper24837.18%+16.9
    Liberal Democrats Ray Harrington-Vail14521.74%+21.7
    Majority 263.9−1.6 pp
    Turnout 667−
    Conservative hold Swing

    Central Rural

    A by-election was held in Central Rural on 1 May 2025, triggered by the resignation of Conservative councillor Suzy Ellis.

    Central Rural
    PartyCandidateVotes%±%
    Reform UK Caroline Gladwin 410 39.8% New
    Conservative Simon Richards22021.4%−36.0
    Green Julia Laursen21921.3%−7.7
    Liberal Democrats Bob Blezzard14614.2%New
    Labour Simon Haytack343.3%−10.2
    Majority 19018.4
    Turnout 1,029−
    Reform UK gain from Conservative Swing

    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.

    Freshwater South
    PartyCandidateVotes%±%
    Independent Rebecca Cameron 472 42.1% New
    Reform UK Bill Nigh26924.6%New
    Conservative Warren Whyte14713.4%−34.6
    Independent Emma Cox1059.6%New
    Labour Anne Bamford746.8%New
    Liberal Democrats Tony Zeid282.6%New
    Majority 20317.5
    Turnout 1,095−
    Independent gain from Independent Swing

    Lake North

    A by-election was held in Lake North on 1 May 2025, triggered by the resignation of Conservative councillor Tig Outlaw.

    Lake North by-election: 2 October 2025 [21]
    PartyCandidateVotes%±%
    Reform UK David Maclean 291 36.1 N/A
    Conservative Adrian Whittaker23228.7−15.1
    Green Robert May9712.0+1.9
    Liberal Democrats Julie Burridge8510.5N/A
    Independent Sarah Morris556.8N/A
    Labour Emily Brothers 475.8−9.0
    Majority 597.4N/A
    Turnout 78928.4–3.2
    Registered electors 2,775
    Reform UK gain from Conservative

    References

    1. ↑ "Elections Management - Service Details". www.iow.gov.uk. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
    2. "2021 ISLE OF WIGHT LOCAL ELECTION – FULL RESULTS". Island Echo. 7 May 2021. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
    3. ↑ "What will the Isle of Wight be voting for on May 6? Election explained". Isle of Wight County Press. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
    4. ↑ "Local Government Boundary Commission for England Consultation Portal". consultation.lgbce.org.uk. Archived from the original on 26 March 2021. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
    5. ↑ "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.
    6. ↑ "Our Island Archives". Isle of Wight News from OnTheWight. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
    7. ↑ Toogood, Darren (1 February 2021). "FIRST 'OUR ISLAND' ELECTION CANDIDATES ANNOUNCED" . Retrieved 5 April 2021.
    8. ↑ "Conservative Isle of Wight Council Leader loses seat to Green".
    9. ↑ "Acting Tory leader invites opposition councillors to join and form majority".
    10. ↑ "Conservatives promise 'robust' opposition as Team Alliance wins council control".
    11. ↑ "Lora Peacey-Wilcox Elected as the New Leader of the Isle of Wight Council". 26 May 2021.
    12. ↑ "Isle of Wight Council appoints Independent Lora Peacey-Wilcox as new leader". BBC News. 27 May 2021.
    13. ↑ "Isle of Wight Council under new leadership".
    14. ↑ "Isle of Wight Council appoints Independent Lora Peacey-Wilcox as new leader". BBC News. 27 May 2021.
    15. ↑ "Geoff Brodie resignation: Council leader pleased by promise of support".
    16. ↑ "Council chair quits ruling Alliance Group".
    17. ↑ 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.
    18. ↑ "Isle of Wight power shift: Cllr Michael Lilley bids farewell to Alliance Group". 9 May 2023. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
    19. ↑ "Councillor Daryll Pitcher resigns months after rape conviction". BBC News. 13 July 2023. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
    20. ↑ "Isle of Wight Councillor resigns for Ventnor and St Lawrence". 23 October 2023. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
    21. ↑ "Isle of Wight Council By-election Autumn 2025". Isle of Wight Council . Retrieved 3 October 2025.
    This page is based on this Wikipedia article
    Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
    Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.