Isle Of Wight Election: Conservatives Lose Council Majority As Coalition Talk Begins

The Isle of Wight Conservative Party has lost its County Hall majority in the Isle of Wight Council elections.

It means that no one group has control of the local authority, prompting talk of a coalition.

It's been a tough night for the Isle of Wight Conservatives. The party has not only lost a number of seats, but also its leader Dave Stewart.

The Isle of Wight Green Party's Claire Critchison was the preferred choice for voters in the Chale, Niton and Shorwell ward, as Isle of Wight Radio reported earlier.

The Tories, which held 24 seats going into the vote, managed a total of 18.

As for the remaining ones, 13 went to the Independents, two to the Greens, two to the Island Independent Network, one to Labour, one to Our Island, one to Lib Dem and one to the Vectis Party.

Who won in your ward? Find out below...

Today's results will see a few familiar faces returning to the council. Former leader Jonathan Bacon won for Our Island in Brading and St Helens.

While, Phil Jordan (Independent) and Daryll Pitcher (Vectis Party) claimed Ryde North West and Wootton Bridge respectively.

Meanwhile, there was a close call in Osborne where the Isle of Wight Green Party's Cameron Palin lost out to Conservative Stephen Hendry by just four votes.

Only one Labour candidate was elected. Former parliamentary candidate Richard Quigley grappled Cowes North from Richard Hollis (Conservative).

Reacting to the results, Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely called for "stability" and thanked outgoing leader Dave Stewart.

He said:

“First, thank you to those Council officers and others who helped with the election and the count.

“I congratulate all those winning candidates and wish them well in representing their residents. I’d also like to commiserate with candidates who lost. I thank them for wanting to contribute to public life on the Island and encourage them to remain engaged.

“I thank Dave Stewart for his leadership and wish him well for the future. After a chaotic period under the control of independents, Dave helped to bring stability to the Council. We need to keep that stability going.

“Whilst Conservatives have lost some council seats, they remain the largest party on the Council. I hope that they are able to find and form a working majority.  Whatever coalition is chosen, the Island needs stability and leadership, as well as a common vision that we can work together to achieve.

“I will be writing to all new and re-elected County Councillors next week to congratulate them, but also to outline a common agenda that I believe elected leaders of the Island should be working towards.

“I also congratulate new and re-elected Parish and Town Councillors when they are announced over the weekend.  Those councils are at the heart of local communities and I speak with them often.

“I look forward to working with all the Island’s councillors for the good of all Islanders.”

It's thought discussions will now begin between parties, in order to reach the required majority of 20.

Missed any of the election coverage? You can catch up here.