Rufus Pickles - Local Democracy Reporter
Rufus is the Local Democracy Reporter for the Isle of Wight, a role he took up in August 2024.
The role, which focuses on subjects such as council meetings, planning applications and matters of democratic interest, is funded by the BBC as part of the national Local Democracy Reporter Scheme - or LDRS.
NARROW WINNER JEFFERIES FACES 3 CHALLENGERS IN LATEST ELECTION BATTLE
After being elected by a 248 vote margin last summer, Mark Jefferies is standing for re-election alongside Reform UK, Tory and Green candidates. Those challenging the independent incumbent, who has sat with the Alliance group at County Hall, include David...
Read moreDetailsBLAKE DEFENDING VENTNOR AND ST LAWRENCE SEAT IN FIVE-WAY BATTLE
Four candidates are battling leader of the Isle of Wight Conservative group at County Hall, Cllr Ed Blake, for his Ventnor and St Lawrence seat. Craig Dabbs (Reform UK), Robin Frederick Jarvis (Labour Party), Linda Jefferies (Island Independent Network) and...
Read moreDetailsTOTLAND AND COLWELL VOTERS FACE 6 CHOICES IN UPCOMING COUNCIL ELECTION
Totland and Colwell voters have six nominees campaigning in their Isle of Wight Council ward ahead of the May 7 elections. Residents can either back Empowering Islanders group leader Chris Jarman, who has represented the area since 2021, or opt...
Read moreDetailsBESTON DEFENDING SHANKLIN CENTRAL SEAT AS CHALLENGERS MAKE THEIR CASE
Four Isle of Wight election candidates are contesting the Shanklin Central ward, held by councillor Michael Beston since 2017. The Conservative incumbent’s three challengers are Robert May (The Green Party), Sarah Jane Morris (Independent) and Stephen Charles Reynolds (Reform UK)....
Read moreDetailsFIVE-WAY CONTEST IN SANDOWN SOUTH AS CANDIDATES MAKE THEIR PITCH TO VOTERS
An independent and 3 party political candidates are challenging Conservative Isle of Wight councillor for Sandown South, Ian Ward. Voters in the ward have the option of the Tory incumbent or Frank Baldry of Reform UK, Emily Brothers from the...
Read moreDetailsCONSERVATIVE INCUMBENT FACES SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGE IN SHANKLIN SOUTH
Shanklin South’s Isle of Wight councillor of 9 years, Chris Quirk, is seeking a third term amid opposition from an independent, the Greens, Labour and Reform UK. Wendy Cooper of the Green Party, Billy James Richard Hill, Reform UK’s David...
Read moreDetailsISLANDER TO WALK 67 MILES LIVING OFF FORAGED FOOD IN AID OF DEMENTIA CHARITY
Newport man Paul Lewin is preparing to take on a gruelling 67-mile coastal walk around the Isle of Wight while surviving primarily on foraged food, all in aid of Dementia UK. The challenge, set to begin on 3rd May, will...
Read moreDetailsRYDE WEST SET FOR 4-WAY BATTLE AS LONG-SERVING COUNCILLOR DEFENDS SEAT
An Isle of Wight councillor of nearly 25 years standing is defending his Ryde West seat against the Tories, Greens and Reform UK. Carol Brown (Local Conservatives), Ethan Luke Mackay Cass (The Green Party) and Owen Potter (Reform UK) are...
Read moreDetailsSIX-WAY CONTEST FOR RYDE SOUTH EAST COUNCIL SEAT
A total of 5 major political parties and an Independent are in a battle for the Isle of Wight Council seat of Ryde South East. Declared contestants include Andy Clayton (Local Conservatives), Richard Eric Collins (The Green Party), Stephen Alexander...
Read moreDetails4-WAY BATTLE FOR RYDE NORTH WEST AS COUNCIL LEADER DEFENDS SEAT
The Green Party, Tories and Reform UK are looking to take Ryde North West from the leader of the Isle of Wight Council, Phil Jordan. Peter Burke of the Green Party, Reuben Burns Loake from Reform UK and Local Conservative...
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