There will be a new face at the Isle of Wight council, after a by-election in Brighstone, Calbourne and Shalfleet saw Island Conservatives lose a seat they had held for more than 11 years.
How will the win for the Liberal Democrats affect the standings in County Hall, Newport — the home of the authority?
Conservatives had highest party members
In May 2021’s election, the Conservatives won 18 seats, giving it more party members than any other.
That did not prove enough to take overall control of the Isle of Wight council.
Alliance Administration formed
Instead, an eighteen-person Alliance Administration was formed – made up of independent councillors, Green Party members and those who stood for the Our Island group.
Buoyed by support from others outside the Alliance, including councillors representing Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Vectis Party, a coalition won control.
Change in Alliance numbers
In August 2021, Cllr Geoff Brodie resigned from the Alliance, making the Conservatives the largest group at the Isle of Wight council.
In December 2021, Conservative group leader Steve Hastings stepped back from his leadership role due to ill health. He was succeeded by Cllr Joe Robertson.
In October 2022, Mr Hastings, resigned from the local authority altogether, saying he had become disillusioned with politics, prompting a by-election.
IWC’s second LibDem
Last night (Thursday), Cllr Nick Stuart won Brighstone, Calbourne and Shalfleet by a landslide.
Gaining more than half the total vote, he became the Isle of Wight council’s second Liberal Democrat councillor.
Level pegging
It means the Alliance administration and the Conservative Party remain level pegging, with 17 seats each.
Speaking before the election, a spokesperson for the Alliance said they hoped to welcome a candidate who would support them and their work.
Cllr Stuart’s fellow Liberal Democrat, Cllr Andrew Garratt, is not part of the Alliance, but he has sided with them many times, when it comes to voting.
Stuart not ruled out joining the Alliance
Meanwhile, Cllr Stuart has not ruled out joining the Alliance, but said there is a conversation to be had, with Cllr Garratt and possibly, Alliance members.
Cllr Stuart said,
“Fundamentally, I want the council to work with as many councillors as it can.
“A cross-party alliance of any sort is a good way of representing the views of Isle of Wight residents.”
The results
The full results of last night’s by-election are:
- Nick Stuart, Liberal Democrat – 526 votes
- Carol Bryan, Local Conservatives – 239 votes
- Doug Alldred, The Green Party – 153 votes
- Stephen J Parkes, Vectis Party – 36 votes
- Gary Clarke, Labour Party – 31 votes
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
Image: © Louise Hill
