2026 Isle of Wight Council election

2026 Isle of Wight Council election

←  2021 7 May 2026

Leader Ed Blake N/A [a] Andrew Garratt Party Conservative Green Liberal Democrats Alliance Alliance Group Leader's seat Ventnor and St Lawrence Parkhurst and Hunnyhill Last election 18 seats, 38.7% 1 seats, 11.1% 1 seats, 5.2% Current seats 13 2 4 Alliance seats 12

Incumbent Council leader Phil Jordan Alliance Group

The 2026 Isle of Wight Council election is due to take place on 7 May 2026 to elect members to Isle of Wight Council on the Isle of Wight, England. ^[1] 39 seats will be elected. This will be on the same day as other local elections.

Background

At the 2021 election, the Conservatives lost the council to no overall control. ^[2] There are plans for the council to move to a committee system in 2025. ^[3]

Council composition

After 2021 election			Before 2026 election
Party		Seats	Party		Seats
	Conservative	18		Conservative	13
	Liberal Democrats	1		Liberal Democrats	4
	Ind. Network	2		Ind. Network	3
	Reform	0		Reform	2
	Green	2		Green	2
	Labour	1		Labour	1
	Independent	13		Independent	14
	Vectis Party	1		Vectis Party	0
	Our Island	1		Our Island	Dissolved

Changes

• October 2022: Steve Hastings (Conservative) resigns – by-election held November 2022 ^[4]
• November 2022: Nick Stuart (Liberal Democrats) gains by-election from Conservatives ^[5]
• May 2023: Michael Lilley (Independent) joins Liberal Democrats ^[6]
• July 2023: Daryll Pitcher (Vectis) resigns – by-election held August 2023 ^[7]
• August 2023: Sarah Redrup (Liberal Democrats) gains by-election from Vectis ^[8]
• October 2023: Gary Peace (Conservative) resigns – by-election held December 2023 ^[9]
• December 2023: Ed Blake (Conservative) wins by-election ^[10]
• March 2025: Suzie Ellis (Conservative), John Medland (Independent) and Tig Outlaw (Conservative) resign – by-elections held May 2025 ^{[11] [12]}
• May 2025: Caroline Gladwin (Reform) and David Maclean (Reform) gain by-elections from Conservatives; Becca Cameron (Independent) wins by-election ^{[13] [14] [15]}
• June 2025: Rodney Downer (Independent) resigns – by-election held July 2025 ^[16]
• July 2025: Mark Jefferies (Independent Network) gains by-election from independent ^[17]
• August 2025:
  • David Maclean (Reform) resigns – by-election held October 2025 ^[18]
  • Clare Mosdell (Conservative) leaves party to sit as an independent ^[19]
• October 2025:
  • Bill Nigh (Reform) wins by-election ^[20]
  • Our Island dissolved – Jonathan Bacon sits as an independent ^[21]

See also

• Isle of Wight Council elections

References

1. The Green councillors sit with independents as part of the twelve-councillor Alliance Group, which is led by independent Cllr Phil Jordan.

1. "Election timetable in England". Electoral Commission. 31 January 2023. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
2. "Isle of Wight result - Local Elections 2021". BBC News. Retrieved 2024-11-29.
3. "Isle of Wight Council to move to committee system in 2025". Isle of Wight Council. Retrieved 2024-11-29.
4. Hill, Louise (10 October 2022). "Former leader of Isle of Wight Conservative councillors resigns: 'I no longer believe in the Conservative Party' (updated)". On the Wight. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
5. "Local Elections Archive Project — Brighstone, Calbourne and Shalfleet Ward". www.andrewteale.me.uk. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
6. Perry, Sally (9 May 2023). "Isle of Wight power shift: Cllr Michael Lilley bids farewell to Alliance Group (updated)". On the Wight. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
7. Hill, Louise (13 July 2023). "Councillor Daryll Pitcher resigns months after rape conviction". BBC News. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
8. "Local Elections Archive Project — Wootton Bridge Ward". www.andrewteale.me.uk. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
9. Perry, Sally (23 October 2023). "Conservative Isle of Wight councillor resigns, forcing another by-election (update 2)". On the Wight. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
10. "Local Elections Archive Project — Ventnor and St Lawrence Ward". www.andrewteale.me.uk. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
11. Perry, Sally (6 March 2025). "Isle of Wight elections: Central Rural to elect new councillor on 1st May". On the Wight. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
12. 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 30 January 2026.
13. "Local Elections Archive Project — Freshwater South Ward". www.andrewteale.me.uk. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
14. "Local Elections Archive Project — Central Rural Ward". www.andrewteale.me.uk. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
15. "Local Elections Archive Project — Lake North Ward". www.andrewteale.me.uk. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
16. 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 30 January 2026.
17. "Local Elections Archive Project — Wroxall, Lowtherville and Bonchurch Ward". www.andrewteale.me.uk. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
18. "Isle of Wight Reform UK councillor resigns after four months". BBC News. 20 August 2025. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
19. Pickles, Rufus (14 August 2025). "Former leader of County Hall Conservatives resigns from group". Isle of Wight County Press. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
20. "Local Elections Archive Project — Lake North Ward". www.andrewteale.me.uk. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
21. "Our Island [De-registered 15/10/25]". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 30 January 2026.