A potentially game-changing by-election is taking place on the Isle of Wight this week.
Voters in Wootton Bridge will be heading to the polls on Thursday, 24th August.
They will pick a replacement for disgraced former Isle of Wight councillor Daryll Pitcher, who was jailed in April for two counts of historic child sex abuse.
He resigned from his position in July, leaving a vacancy in the Wootton Bridge ward.
Four candidates
Four candidates have thrown their hats in the ring and they are:
- Ed Hopper (Conservatives)
- Linda Pitcher (Vectis Party)
- Sarah Redrup (Liberal Democrat)
- Michael Smith (Green Party)
Political makeup at County Hall
The election could prove vital after a vote of no confidence was levelled against the Isle of Wight Council’s leader, Councillor Lora Peacey-Wilcox, today (Tuesday).
Part of the Alliance Administration, she heads up a council of 39 seats. Her group is made up of independent and Green Party councillors, and has 13 members.
Conservatives are the largest group, holding 16 seats.
The recently-created Empowering Islanders group, of former independent Alliance members and a Conservative, holds four seats.
Meanwhile, there are three Liberal Democrats, one Labour councillor and one independent Labour member.
Head to your local polling station
The Wootton Bridge by-election takes place on Thursday and the polling station is at Wootton Bridge Community Centre.
The polls will be open between 7am and 10pm.
Photo ID, such as a driving licence, passport or bus pass will be required, before you can vote.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
Image: bagelmouse under CC BY 2.0
