As the long-awaited Isle of Wight Council elections of 7th May 2026 draw closer, a number of well-known faces at County Hall have already thrown their hat into the ring.
While some have confirmed they are hoping to remain at the top-level of Island politics, others are stepping down and many have not yet publicly revealed their intentions.
Upcoming elections were postponed from May last year and elected councillors will serve until May 2029.
Polling cards will be delivered from 23rd March 2026 onwards and the last day to register to vote is 20th April 2026.
Bembridge
- Joe Robertson, Conservatives: stepping down
Binstead and Fishbourne
- Ian Dore, independent: intention as yet unknown
Brading and St Helens
- Jonathan Bacon, Alliance Our Island: standing for re-election
Brighstone, Calbourne and Shalfleet
- Nick Stuart, Liberal Democrat: intention as yet unknown
Carisbrooke and Gunville
- Joe Lever, Alliance Green Party: stepping down
Central Rural
- Caroline Gladwin, Reform UK: intention as yet unknown
Chale, Niton and Shorwell
- Claire Critchison, Alliance Green Party, standing for re-election
Cowes Medina
- Lora Peacey-Wilcox, Alliance independent: standing for re-election
Cowes North
- Richard Quigley, Labour: stepping down
Cowes South and Northwood
- John Nicholson, Conservative: intention as yet unknown
Cowes West and Gurnard
- Paul Fuller, Alliance independent: standing for re-election
East Cowes
- Karl Love, independent: standing for re-election
Fairlee and Whippingham
- Matthew Price, Conservatives: intention as yet unknown
Freshwater North and Yarmouth
- Peter Spink, Empowering Islanders: standing down
Freshwater South
- Becca Cameron, Empowering Islanders: standing for re-election
Haylands and Swanmore
- Vanessa Churchman, Conservatives: intention as yet unknown
Lake North
- Bill Nigh, Reform UK: standing for re-election
Lake South
- Paul Brading, Conservatives: intention as yet unknown
Mountjoy and Shide
- Martin Oliver, Conservatives: intention as yet unknown
Nettlestone and Seaview
- David Adams, Independent: stepping down
Newchurch, Havenstreet and Ashey
- Clare Mosdell, Very Broad Church independent: previously indicated intention to step down
Newport Central
- Julie Jones-Evans, Alliance independent: standing for re-election
Newport West
- Ray Redrup, Conservatives: intention as yet unknown
Osborne
- Stephen Hendry, Conservatives: intention as yet unknown
Pan and Barton
- Geoff Brodie, Very Broad Church Independent Socialist: stepping down
Parkhurst and Hunnyhill
- Andrew Garratt, Liberal Democrats: intention as yet unknown
Ryde Appley and Elmfield
- Michael Lilley, Liberal Democrats: standing for re-election
Ryde Monktonmead
- Karen Lucioni, Alliance independent: standing for re-election
Ryde North West
- Phil Jordan, Alliance independent: standing for re-election
Ryde South East
Warren Drew, Conservatives: intention as yet unknown
Ryde West
- Ian Stephens, Alliance independent: standing for re-election
Sandown North
- Debbie Andre, Alliance independent: standing for re-election
Sandown South
- Ian Ward, Conservatives: intention as yet unknown
Shanklin Central
- Michael Beston, Conservatives: intention as yet unknown
Shanklin South
- Chris Quirk, Conservatives: intention as yet unknown
Totland and Colwell
- Chris Jarman, Empowering Islanders: standing for re-election
Ventnor and St Lawrence
- Ed Blake, Conservatives: intention as yet unknown
Wootton Bridge
- Sarah Redrup, Liberal Democrats: intention as yet unknown
Wroxall, Lowtherville and Bonchurch
- Mark Jefferies, Alliance independent: standing for re-election
Article edit
3pm 30th Mar 2026 – PS intention added
9.30am 10th Apr 2026 – Indie intentions added
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
