Four Isle of Wight political leaders have sent a clear message to Whitehall following a letter asking for views on postponing local elections: no more delays.
Councillors in charge of the Conservative, Alliance, Liberal Democrat and Reform UK groups at County Hall told the Local Democracy Reporting Service of their demands for the May 2026 poll to go ahead as planned.
Councils to decide if delay required
Alison McGovern MP, Minister of State for Local Government and Homelessness, wrote to 63 local authority leaders with elections due in May and where local government reorganisation (LGR) plans have been submitted and decisions not yet taken.
She invited feedback on a postponement and whether they consider this could release ‘essential capacity to deliver LGR’.
Ms McGovern said,
“Previous governments have postponed local elections in areas contemplating and undergoing local government reorganisation to allow councils to focus their time and energy on the process.
“We have now received requests from multiple councils to postpone their local elections in May 2026.
“The Secretary of State (Steve Reed) recognises that capacity will vary between councils and that is why he has reached the position that, in his view, councils are in the best position to judge the impact of potential postponements on your area and in the spirit of devolution and trusting local leaders, this government will listen to you.”
Blake: No more delays
Councillor Ed Blake, leader of the Conservative group, said,
“Last year the Independent and Green Alliance, through their cabinet, voted to engage in a priority programme for becoming a devolved area.
“This was despite the indicative motion falling at the Emergency Full Council meeting prior to that decision.
“This resulted in a delaying of the local elections. Now, the government have come back to ask councils involved in LGR if they would like to delay their elections – yet again!
“The answer must be sent immediately back to them, unequivocally – no. We want our elections to go ahead in May 2026. No more delays!”
He said County Hall leader Phil Jordan had proposed the council wait to accumulate thoughts on the matter and meet on 6th January to decide on an answer.
Councillor Blake added the matter should not be up for debate and that Islanders have a right to democracy.
Jordan: If no delay requested, elections will go ahead
Councillor Phil Jordan, who leads the Alliance group, said,
“I have already expressed my views to the Minister and to government that I could not support any further delay in local elections.
“I shall be discussing the position with the Alliance group and with other councillors early in January to understand what the majority of Isle of Wight councillors want to happen.
“I am aware that if no request to delay local elections is made to government, then those elections will go ahead as planned in May 2026.”
Nigh: None of us should be afraid of the ballot box
Councillor Bill Nigh, Reform UK group leader, said,
“These proposals to further cancel the local elections by the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) were based upon a precept that local authorities need longer to prepare for the transition to becoming unitary authorities.
“The Isle of Wight became a unitary authority on 1st April 1995, and was a pilot for those that followed.
“There is no reason to deny Isle of Wight residents their right to vote on their local representatives again.
“I will be calling upon all my council colleagues in all parties to oppose any further delay to democracy. None of us should be afraid of the ballot box and of being held accountable to our constituents.”
Garratt: We do not support a further postponement
Councillor Andrew Garratt, who leads the Liberal Democrats at County Hall, said,
“Isle of Wight Liberal Democrat councillors were opposed to the postponement of this year’s elections.
“We do not support a further postponement. Residents were rightly expecting to have their say on who represents them last May. A further delay would be untenable.”
Jarman: Staunchly oppose delaying local elections
This afternoon, Councillor Chris Jarman of the Empowering Islanders group, said,
“At the Extraordinary Meeting of Full Council on 1st May 2024, International Workers’ and Labour Day, I declared ‘democracy delayed is democracy denied’ in relation to the government proposal to delay our local elections.
“Empowering Islanders group staunchly opposed the cancellation of the 2025 local elections and will vigorously maintain that position in response to any proposal to delay them further.
“Democracy in the UK was hard won by ordinary men and women and is the cornerstone upon which our constitution and civil rights rest. It cannot be for any government that may be afraid of the result to seek to take that right away.”
Article edit
4.10pm 19th Dec 2025 – CJ comment 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
