The Conservatives have retained an important seat on the Isle of Wight Council following a by-election in the run-up to Christmas — but by a slim margin.
Last night (Thursday), Ed Blake was elected to represent the residents of Ventnor and St Lawrence in County Hall — securing 40 per cent of the vote.
Councillor Blake is taking the place of former Conservative councillor Gary Peace, who resigned for personal reasons at the end of October.
Local fisherman
The local businessman, Councillor Blake, who operates Ventnor Haven Fishery and the management of the harbour along with his family, won with 274 votes.
Coming in a close second — and hoping it would be third time lucky after two previously unsuccessful attempts to take the seat — was the town’s current mayor, Steve Cooper, for the Labour Party.
A difference of 26 votes
Mr Cooper received 26 fewer votes, garnering support from 248 residents — 37 per cent of the overall votes.
In third place, was the Liberal Democrat’s candidate, Ray Harrington-Vail, a co-founder of The Footprint Trust, who received 145 votes.
The LibDems had been on a winning streak, winning the two previous Isle of Wight Council by-elections.
22.4 per cent turnout
Fewer than a quarter of those eligible turned out to vote yesterday — 22.4 per cent — with only 669 ballot papers received out of a possible 2,987.
The turn-out was down by 17.5 per cent on the previous election’s results for Ventnor and St Lawrence, with 562 fewer votes cast – possibly due to the election being so close to Christmas.
Election dates decided by law
The timing of the by-election is decided by law as it must be held within 35 working days of it being triggered.
That meant, with Mr Peace’s resignation at the end of October, it could have either been held yesterday or next week — between Christmas and New Year.
16 Conservatives
Councillor Blake, a member of Ventnor Rugby Football Club, will join his Conservative colleagues at County Hall in January, keeping the number of seats held by the group at 16.
It means the Tories are still the largest group on the authority but do not control it.
The power remains in the hands of the Alliance Administration, which has 13 councillors.
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
