2021 Isle of Wight Council election explained

Election Name:2021 Isle of Wight Council election
Country:Isle of Wight
Flag Image:Flag of the Isle of Wight.svg
Type:parliamentary
Vote Type:Popular
Previous Election:2017 Isle of Wight Council election
Previous Year:2017
Next Election:2025 Isle of Wight Council election
Next Year:2025
Seats For Election:All 39 seats to the Isle of Wight Council
Majority Seats:20
Turnout:36.93% 3.99 pp
Leader1:Dave Stewart
Leaders Seat1:Chale, Niton and Shorwell (lost)
Party1:Conservative Party (UK)
Last Election1:25 seats, 41.3%
Seats Before1:23
Seats1:18
Seat Change1: 7
Popular Vote1:15,825
Percentage1:38.7%
Swing1: 2.6%
Party2:Independent politician
Last Election2:11 seats, 28.2%
Seats Before2:14
Seats2:13
Seat Change2: 2
Popular Vote2:9,981
Percentage2:24.4%
Swing2: 3.8%
Party3:Green Party of England and Wales
Last Election3:1 seats, 12.6%
Seats Before3:1
Seats3:2
Seat Change3: 1
Popular Vote3:4,541
Percentage3:11.1%
Swing3: 1.5%
Colour4:A292F4
Leader4:Ian Stephens
Leaders Seat4:Ryde West
Party4:Island Independent Network
Last Election4:New grouping
Seats Before4:1
Seats4:2
Seat Change4: 2
Popular Vote4:1,327
Percentage4:3.2%
Swing4: 3.2%
Leader5:Richard Quigley
Leaders Seat5:Cowes North
Party5:Labour Party (UK)
Last Election5:1 seat, 9.7%
Seats Before5:1
Seats5:1
Popular Vote5:4,760
Percentage5:11.6%
Swing5: 1.9%
Leader6:Andrew Garratt
Leaders Seat6:Parkhurst and Hunnyhill
Party6:Liberal Democrats (UK)
Last Election6:2 seats, 6.2%
Seats Before6:1
Seats6:1
Seat Change6: 1
Popular Vote6:2,139
Percentage6:5.2%
Swing6: 1.0%
Colour7:FE4164
Leader7:Jonathan Bacon
Leaders Seat7:Brading and St Helens
Party7:Our Island
Last Election7:New party
Seats7:1
Seat Change7: 1
Popular Vote7:1,427
Percentage7:3.5%
Swing7: 3.5%
Colour8:EEE600
Leader8:Daryll Pitcher
Leaders Seat8:Wootton Bridge
Party8:Vectis Party
Last Election8:New party
Seats8:1
Seat Change8: 1
Popular Vote8:886
Percentage8:2.2%
Swing8: 2.2%
Council leader
Posttitle:Council leader after election
Before Election:Dave Stewart
Before Party:Conservative Party (UK)
After Election:Lora Peacey-Wilcox
After Party:The Alliance Group

Elections to Isle of Wight Council took place on 6 May 2021 as part of the 2021 United Kingdom local elections. These were held at the same time as the elections for the Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner.[1] The elections saw the Conservatives lose control of the council, losing seats against the national trend for the party.

Results summary

PartySeatsCandidatesVotesVote %
Conservative18 73915,825 2,55238.7 2.6
Independent13 2229,981 2,52724.4 3.8
Green2 1194,541 1,05611.1 1.5
Island Independent Network2 261,327 1,3273.2 3.2
Labour1284,760 45211.6 1.9
Lib Dem1 1122,139 6365.2 1.0
Our Island1 151,427 1,4273.5 3.5
Vectis Party1 13886 8862.2 2.2
Freedom Alliance0138 380.09 0.09
TUSC0120 200.05 0.05
Total39 113640,944 608

Background

New ward divisions were used for this election, with thirty wards changing,[2] with the number of wards reduced by one to 39 single-member seats.[3] In the previous election, the Conservatives had won a majority with twenty five seats, with Independents (including the Island Independent Group), Liberal Democrats, Greens, and Labour also winning seats.

For the 2021 election, as well as existing independent candidates, the new Our Island also announced its intention to support several independent candidates.[4] [5] [6]

Aftermath

The incumbent Conservative leader of the council lost his seat to the Green Party,[7] and was replaced as group leader by Steve Hastings, who subsequently invited other councillors to coalition talks.[8]

On 26 May, independent councillor Lora Peacey-Wilcox was elected leader of the council with 20 votes to Hastings’s 18. There was a single abstention from the Labour councillor, who was absent.[9] Island Independent Network councillor Ian Stephens was elected her deputy. Independent councillor Geoff Brodie was elected as the Chair of the Council, with Green councillor Claire Critchison elected Vice-Chair.[10] [11]

The leadership and cabinet - termed the "Alliance Group" - includes Independent, Green, Island Independent Network and Our Island councillors who together make up 18 of the 39 seats on the council. With the additional external support from the Liberal Democrats and the Vectis Party this constitutes a majority of 20 out of the 39 council seats.[12] [13]

In August 2021, Cllr Brodie quit the Alliance Group over planning issues, but continues to support the administration.[14] [15]

Division results

Wroxall, Lowtherville and Bonchurch

Changes 2021–2025

Brighstone, Calbourne and Shalfleet

A by-election was held in Brighstone, Calbourne and Shalfleet on 24 November 2022, triggered by the resignation of Conservative councillor Steve Hastings.[16]

Wootton Bridge

A by-election was held in Wootton Bridge on 24 August 2023, triggered by the resignation of Daryll Pitcher, the leader and only elected member of the Vectis Party, after being imprisoned for rape.[18]

Ventnor and St Lawrence

A by-election was held in Ventnor and St Lawrence on 21 December 2023, triggered by the resignation of Conservative councillor Gary Peace.[19]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Elections Management - Service Details. 2021-04-05. www.iow.gov.uk.
  2. Web site: What will the Isle of Wight be voting for on May 6? Election explained. 2021-04-05. Isle of Wight County Press. en.
  3. Web site: Local Government Boundary Commission for England Consultation Portal. 2021-04-05. consultation.lgbce.org.uk. 2021-03-26. https://web.archive.org/web/20210326002334/https://consultation.lgbce.org.uk/node/12655. dead.
  4. Web site: 2021-02-01. Our Island announce their first candidates for May 2021 Isle of Wight council elections. 2021-04-05. Isle of Wight News from OnTheWight. en-GB.
  5. Web site: Our Island Archives. 2021-04-05. Isle of Wight News from OnTheWight. en-GB.
  6. Web site: Toogood. Darren. 2021-02-01. FIRST 'OUR ISLAND' ELECTION CANDIDATES ANNOUNCED. 2021-04-05. en-GB.
  7. Web site: Conservative Isle of Wight Council Leader loses seat to Green.
  8. Web site: Acting Tory leader invites opposition councillors to join and form majority.
  9. Web site: Conservatives promise 'robust' opposition as Team Alliance wins council control.
  10. Web site: Lora Peacey-Wilcox Elected as the New Leader of the Isle of Wight Council. 26 May 2021.
  11. News: Isle of Wight Council appoints Independent Lora Peacey-Wilcox as new leader. BBC News. 27 May 2021.
  12. Web site: Isle of Wight Council under new leadership.
  13. News: Isle of Wight Council appoints Independent Lora Peacey-Wilcox as new leader. BBC News. 27 May 2021.
  14. Web site: Geoff Brodie resignation: Council leader pleased by promise of support.
  15. Web site: Council chair quits ruling Alliance Group.
  16. News: Hill . Louise . Tory resignation by 'disillusioned' ex leader prompts possible election in Isle of Wight next month . 23 September 2023 . Hampshire Live . 18 October 2022.
  17. Web site: 9 May 2023 . Isle of Wight power shift: Cllr Michael Lilley bids farewell to Alliance Group . 9 May 2023.
  18. News: 13 July 2023 . Councillor Daryll Pitcher resigns months after rape conviction . BBC News . 5 August 2023.
  19. Web site: 23 October 2023. Isle of Wight Councillor resigns for Ventnor and St Lawrence. 28 October 2023.