Next week’s Lake North Isle of Wight Council by-election will cost an estimated £5,146, it can be revealed.
The Thursday 2nd October 2025 poll was called after the resignation of Reform UK’s David Maclean, just months after being elected at a previous by-election.
How the costs break down
In response to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, County Hall detailed spending on a polling station and count including staff and hire costs, printing and posting polling cards, stationery and ballot papers and postal votes.
The FOI response says roughly £1,481 will be spent on the polling station and count, £2,400 on polling cards, £464 on stationery and £801 on postal votes.
Other by-elections
In May, three by-elections were held for the Central Rural, Freshwater South and Lake North wards.
A Wroxall, Lowtherville and Bonchurch by-election then took place in July after the resignation of Alliance independent councillor Rodney Downer.
Palin: Extremely disappointing that Reform have let residents down
Cameron Palin, chair of the Isle of Wight Green Party and an East Cowes town councillor, said,
“It’s extremely disappointing that Reform have let the residents of Lake North down, offering change, saying they would cut costs and make a real difference in their communities.
“What we have actually seen is that Reform is costing the council thousands by resigning and leaving residents voiceless.
“Think how far over £5,000 could go in our community. It could be a fortnightly youth group, luncheon club, mental health support group or new play equipment. Instead, it’s spent on staff to run a new election as Reform quit the job, you deserve better!”
Gladwin: The responsibility for costs of by-election lie with those who attacked him
Councillor Caroline Gladwin, Reform UK county councillor for Central Rural ward, said,
“Reform UK regrets the loss of a man (David Maclean) who we firmly believe would have grown into a good councillor and representative of his ward residents had he been given the opportunity to deal with the loss of his relative in peace, but instead he was attacked by his defeated opponents from the very minute of his election.
“The responsibility for the costs of this by-election therefore lie with those who attacked him without mercy, and not with Mr Maclean or Reform UK.”
Garratt: Costs highlight importance of whoever is elected to serve out term of office
Councillor Andrew Garratt, leader of the Liberal Democrat group at County Hall, said,
“This is the second time in just a few months that Lake North residents have been asked to choose a councillor in a by-election.
“So, of course, this is the second time that these costs have been incurred; costs that are borne by the council and consequently council taxpayers.
“Councillors resign their seats for all sorts of reasons. But it must have been a surprise to Lake North residents that the person they elected stood down a few months after election.
“These costs will highlight the importance of whoever is elected being able to serve out their term of office and ensure that Lake North residents are represented at County Hall.”
The candidates
The full list of candidates for the Lake North by-election is:
- Bob Blezzard (Liberal Democrat) of Perowne Way, Sandown.
- Christopher Lloyd (Labour Party) of Victoria Avenue, Shanklin.
- Robert May (The Green Party) of Victoria Road, Sandown.
- Bill Nigh (Reform UK) whose address is ‘in an Isle of Wight Council area’.
- Adrian Whittaker (The Conservative Party) of Sandown Road, Shanklin.
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
