Former Isle of Wight Council leader and Independent councillor, Jonathan Bacon, has been elected as the leader of the Isle of Wight Council.
Backed by newly elected Reform UK councillor, the Brading and St Helens representative received 28 votes, with nine councillors backing Liberal Democrat rival Andrew Garratt and two abstentions.
Reform UK councillor Bill Nigh has been elected as deputy leader, supported not just by Reform councillors, but others across the chamber, including those within the Island First group too (Island First is led by former council leader, Lora Peacey-Wilcox).
Bacon background
Bacon previously led the local authority from 2015 until January 2017 when he resigned ahead of the budget-setting meeting, saying he could no longer deal with continued government austerity.
School closures controversy
In the council’s last term, he oversaw controversial plans to close five primary schools before resigning in March 2025 ahead of a vote to close primaries in Cowes and Arreton but keep open those in Brading, Ryde and Wroxall.
At the time, he accused his fellow cabinet members of an ‘unacceptable’ last minute turnaround.
Chairman re-elected: Casting vote settles the contest
Councillor Ian Dore has been re-elected as the chair of the Isle of Wight Council.
After a 19 – 19 tie between the Binstead and Fishbourne independent and Reform UK challenger Tony Barry, Conservative vice-chair Vanessa Churchman’s casting vote sealed the contest in favour of the incumbent.
Councillor Barry (pictured right) has been elected as vice-chair.
Councillor Dore has held the role, which includes representing County Hall on ceremonial occasions and presiding over meetings of full council, since May 2025.
Another independent, Jonathan Bacon, seconded Councillor Dore for the position.
Councillor Dore, who was first elected to County Hall in 2021, previously served as part of the Alliance group during the council’s last term prior to the local elections.
He left the grouping in February this year, citing his responsibility to run meetings fairly and impartially and wanting impartiality to be “clearly visible”.
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
