Isle Of Wight Political Leaders Call For May 2026 Elections To Go Ahead

Four Isle of Wight council group leaders have told Whitehall they do not support postponing the May 2026 local elections.

Alison McGovern, Minister of State for Local Government and Homelessness, recently asked councils involved in local government reorganisation (LGR) for their views on delaying elections to free up capacity for the transition.

Previous governments have delayed polls in similar situations.

County Hall leaders from the Conservative, Alliance, Liberal Democrat, and Reform UK groups said the elections should go ahead as planned.

Cllr Ed Blake, Conservative group leader, said the answer to government should be “unequivocally – no.”

Alliance leader Cllr Phil Jordan confirmed he has told the Minister he cannot support a delay and will discuss the position with councillors in January.

Cllr Bill Nigh (Reform UK) said Islanders should not be denied their right to vote, noting the Isle of Wight became a unitary authority in 1995.

Liberal Democrat leader Cllr Andrew Garratt added his group does not support further postponement, calling a delay “untenable.”

Cllr Chris Jarman of Empowering Islanders said any attempt to delay elections further would be opposed, emphasising that “democracy delayed is democracy denied.”