A trio of candidates are vying to represent Bembridge at the Isle of Wight Council after the May 7 local elections.
Residents can vote for Rowena Katharine Crichton-Stuart (Reform UK), Warren Adam Drew (Local Conservatives) or Mark Rochell (Liberal Democrat).
The seat is currently held by Joe Robertson, IW East MP, who is standing down from his role as a councillor.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) asked candidates to set out a 100-word pitch to voters and for profile images, either directly or through parties or groups, before the first Island-wide County Hall poll since 2021.
Here’s what they had to say, in no particular order…
Rowena Katharine Crichton-Stuart
As May 7 looms on the horizon I am continuing to knock on as many doors as possible in this halcyon village we are so fortunate to live in.
In Bembridge I recognise the problems we face are also Island-wide issues which impact each of the wards of the 39 Reform UK candidates who are standing.
Roads, sewage, flooding, ferries and the NHS availability. They are the same old problems, however, we need to vigorously challenge every aspect of these problems in County Hall.
My background in the arts and media are not obvious assets for political life. My passion for right over wrong however is.
Warren Adam Drew
Warren was born and raised on the Island. After attending local schools, he worked as a journalist for many years, before retraining as a lawyer. He successfully lobbied against the Pennyfeathers development and opposes the imposition of unaffordable houses on the Island.
Warren is also a director of a legal charity that helps people with debt and welfare problems and has previously acted as the legal advisor for the Island campaign group, KILF. In that role, he brought legal action against the government’s attempt to scrap Island Line, who then U-turned, and invested £26 million into the railway.
Mark Rochell
As clerk I’ve recently overseen Bembridge Parish Council’s progression to Gold in the Local Council Awards Scheme. By combining four years’ experience at the parish council with that gained from my previous career as finance director for the producers of the Great British Bake Off, I will strive to bring improvements at county council level too.
My job as clerk ensures that I’m fully focused on Bembridge issues, and by being county councillor in addition to this role, it will be easier for me to work inside County Hall to get the answers, assurances and actions that Bembridge deserves.
