The Isle of Wight Council has this afternoon (Tuesday) announced the full list of candidates who will stand in next month’s local election.
A total of 156 candidates from a variety of different political parties are battling it out for 40 seats across 39 wards.
Cllr Phil Jordan, who was convicted of drink driving earlier this year, is once again standing for the ward of Ryde North West. Meanwhile former Council Leader Jonathan Bacon is again standing for Brading, Bembridge and St Helens, despite the saga surrounding his resignation back in January.
Prospective parliamentary candidate Wendy Cook, who had to withdraw from the General Election race after her drink-drive convictions caused public outcry, is standing for the Newport West ward.
The Leader of the Isle of Wight Green Party, Vix Lowthian, is unable to stand in the local election as she is disqualified due to her role as a teacher at a non-academy school.
Vix has today said:
“I am very much committed to my career and my students – and I need to work to earn a living! It seems strange that in a world where George Osborne MP can hold 6 or 7 jobs, such rules do not apply to us all.
“I am really looking forward to steering the whole island Green Party campaign, which is gathering momentum at a pace, and I am sure that together we will see Green voices elected onto our Council to make a difference during the next 4 years.”
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Councillor Chris Whitehouse, who faces no less than 5 opponents in his Newport West Ward, has called for the election campaigns to be conducted by all parties in “a respectful, polite and decent manner”.
“Let’s hope that this time around candidates can show each other mutual respect. We can disagree on policies and priorities, but let’s leave the mud-slinging and name-calling behind with the old Council and see if politics on the Island can be conducted now in a courteous manner.”
The most hotly contested seat is Shanklin South with a total of 7 candidates in the running, but the likes of Freshwater North, Newport South and Sandown South have only 2 candidates each.
Political Party breakdown:
- Conservatives – 41
- Green Party – 25
- UKIP – 10
- Liberal Democrats – 18
- Labour – 30
- Independent Party – 24
- Independent Candidates – 7
The Island goes to the polls on 4th May.
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