Three Candidates Contest Carisbrooke And Gunville Seat

Voters in Carisbrooke and Gunville will choose from three candidates at the upcoming Isle of Wight Council elections on May 7.

The seat is currently held by the Green Party and is being contested following the departure of councillor Joe Lever.

Standing in the election are James Robert Downard (Reform UK), Mark Ian Reen (Local Conservatives) and Vix Lowthion (Green Party).

The Local Democracy Reporting Service invited candidates to submit a 100-word statement ahead of polling day.

Reform UK candidate James Robert Downard did not provide a statement.

Green Party candidate Vix Lowthion says the Island needs “bold and brave decisions” while protecting its countryside and coastline.

She has spent the past decade volunteering as a parish and town councillor and says she is ready to serve at county level.

She also highlighted concerns around flooding, large housing developments and inequality, adding that her work as a secondary school teacher has driven her ambition to support communities across the Island.

Conservative candidate Mark Ian Reen has lived on the Isle of Wight for 12 years and brings 35 years of senior management experience in the publishing industry, including roles with Mirror Group, IPC, Time Warner and Immediate.

He previously served for a decade as a councillor in the London Borough of Ealing, where he held responsibilities in health and social care, finance and planning.

He is currently a governor at Carisbrooke C of E.

The election will take place on May 7.