Island Council Elections Set To Go Ahead In May After Year’s Delay

The Isle of Wight will go to the polls in May 2026, following a year-long delay to local elections, after the government confirmed the vote will not be postponed despite wider reforms to English local authorities.

Council leader Phil Jordan welcomed the news, saying:

“I fully support the democratic process and understand Islanders must have their say on who represents them through that democratic process.

"Our elections are vital for us as councillors to continue that work with confidence and support of the community.”

Conservative group leader Ed Blake criticised last year’s delay, highlighting the impact on residents and the council’s finances, including the planned removal of a £4m subsidy, which he warned could affect the council’s future.

Chris Jarman, leader of the Empowering Islanders group, said:

“Empowering Islanders group objected on May 1, 2024, to the proposed delay of the May 2025 elections.

"Our position has since been vindicated and the rationale for delay proved false.

"We are pleased that our objection to delay was gradually echoed and amplified by others to secure a definite rejection to government.

"We are satisfied that they have finally accepted the desire of residents to exercise their democratic right.”

Bill Nigh, Reform UK group leader, added:

“Here on the Isle of Wight we were all agreed no such application would be made.

"We also felt it necessary to double down on that and make our feelings clear about this attack on that democratic process.

"It is a pity that many other local authorities did not follow our lead.”

Labour councillor and MP for Isle of Wight West Richard Quigley said:

“I’m really pleased that our local elections are going ahead.

"I along with the council leader made it very clear that we saw no reason to postpone them, so I’m pleased the government have listened.”

The elections on Thursday, May 7 will be the first since 2021, when the previous Conservative administration lost its majority and the Alliance group took control of County Hall.