UK's Youngest Councillor? Isle Of Wight Teen Faces Competition In Fight For Osborne

An Isle of Wight teenager is vying to become one of the youngest councillors in the country.

Cameron Palin, from East Cowes, is standing on behalf of the Isle of Wight Green Party in next May's local elections.

The 17-year-old, who turns 18 later this month, wants to become councillor for Osborne - which is expected to replace the current Osborne and Whippingham ward.

As Isle of Wight Radio previously reported, 30 wards are changing and one councillor is being lost as part of a shake-up of boundary arrangements.

What is set to be the new Osborne ward.

The Whippingham and Osborne seat is currently held by Councillor Stephen Hendry, who himself became the youngest member of the Isle of Wight Council after winning last year's by-election.

It was called after former councillor, Julia Baker-Smith, vacated the role.

Cameron - who was 16 at the time - was set to stand, but the IW Green Party said the move was 'blocked' because electoral rules meant he was too young. 

Speaking to Isle of Wight Radio, he said:

"My party believed I was the best candidate for the role. I've been working in the area for the last 4 years on many different campaigns - the floating bridge, the umbrella tree and stopping crossways [development]."

Now he is turning 18, Cameron is allowed to stand. It would be the first time the IW Green Party has put forward a candidate to oversee the Osborne ward.

He has hit back at concerns over his age and experience:

"I acknowledge that [the concern around his age]. However, we also see a lot of criticism of not having young people in the council. A lot of the councillors are retirement age and a lot of the younger ones aren't active, engaging in the community. 

"Cllr Hendry, who was elected in the by-election, has been in council meetings and hasn't spoken up for the residents.

"There is a lot of things that councillors can do. While I acknowledge the age issue and people feel I'm not experienced enough, people that know me and have worked with me often say that actually I'm very capable. Working on the floating bridge campaign, almost against the Isle of Wight Council, has taught me a lot about their mechanisms, their system, their procedures.

"On top of that I understand what this council's purpose is and I think I can work within that system as an effective councillor for the residents of Osborne."

Cameron will face stiff competition in his battle to take the hotly-contested Osborne seat, however. 

The incumbent ward councillor, Cllr Hendry, is 'likely' to stand again, according to the Chair of the Isle of Wight Conservative Association.

Cllr Stephen Hendry.

Former Isle of Wight Council leader David Pugh, who at 27 became the country's youngest local authority leader, said:

“Stephen Hendry (Conservative) won the Whippingham & Osborne by-election last year, taking the seat off the independents, to become the youngest member of the Isle of Wight Council. Since being elected, he has been a strong and effective voice at County Hall for local residents.

“Although the Conservative candidates for the 2021 elections to the Isle of Wight Council have not yet been selected, it is likely that Stephen will be seeking re-election in the new Osborne ward. With the Liberal Democrats and an independent candidate taking second and third place respectively in last year’s by-election, we expect that Osborne will be a hotly contested seat between these parties / groups next May. However, we fully expect that other candidates will be listed on the ballot paper.

“In the meantime, Stephen will continue to represent the interests of all residents in the existing Whippingham & Osborne ward, irrespective of how they voted or whether they voted at all.”

Island Labour has confirmed it will also put forward a representative for the ward, but has yet to decide on a candidate.

Isle of Wight Liberal Democrats, which came second in the by-election, has been asked for a comment.

Meanwhile, new political group 'Our Island' confirmed 'talks are ongoing', following previous calls for Island parties to "work together".