A total of 4 major political parties and an independent candidate are on the ballot paper for Isle of Wight voters in Cowes South and Northwood.
Conservative councillor John Ulysses Anthony Nicholson is competing with Reform UK’s Gordon Adam, Wayne Doidge of the Labour Party, Independent Monique Louise Gallop and Liberal Democrat Bob Packham.
Ahead of the May 7 local elections, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) reached out to candidates for 100-word pitches and photos, either directly or through parties or groups.
Here’s what they had to say, in no particular order…
Gordon Adam
I retired in 2021 and moved to Cowes on the Isle of Wight, where I have enjoyed integrating into the community. I am a member of a local sailing club, and I volunteer each week at the Cowes Food Bank, which helps me understand first hand some of the challenges people face in my area and more widely on the Island.
I am committed to being a hard-working and approachable advocate for the community, its residents and local businesses, and will strive to the best of my ability to effect change where possible for the benefit of everyone.
Wayne Doidge
Wayne Doidge is involved in the Combined Cadet Force for the RAF and has been a teacher for over 20 years, both on the Island and on the mainland. Wayne currently commutes to work in Portsmouth so has a real lived experience of the prolems with cross-Solent travel.
Monique Louise Gallop
I am standing as an Independent because I believe decisions should be made based on what is right for our community – not driven by party politics.
This allows me to focus entirely on representing residents, listening to their concerns, and acting in their best interests without external pressures or agendas.
If elected, I will be visible, approachable, and committed to delivering practical solutions that make a real difference.
I will continue to work closely with residents, community groups, and local organisations to ensure that support is targeted where it is needed most and that our community has a strong, reliable voice.
John Ulysses Anthony Nicholson (incumbent ward councillor)
Born and bred in Gurnard, Cowes, Northwood, with a very successful business employing local people operating in the specialist sector in construction gives me a good background for being a ward councillor, as I am used to getting to the bottom of and dealing with problems, knowing how to get the best out of people, and speaking plainly when needed.
I like to do things – as Mayor of Cowes I was the principal driver of the Cowes and Northwood Place Plan, bringing it to life and attracting the support and drive of other councillors, local stakeholders and Southampton University.
Bob Packham
I have lived in East Cowes for almost fifteen years. I am married with two grown up sons. I have been an East Cowes town councillor for eight years and have stood for East Cowes in Isle of Wight Council elections.
I previously lived in Ashford, Kent and was a borough councillor for eight years. I started my career in HM Chatham Dockyard as an electric fitter apprentice. In
1975 I became an electrical mechanical engineer for British Railways where I worked for thirty years.
I am campaigning to preserve local green space and to stop sewage being discharged into the Solent.
