In the last of our in-depth series on the main battlegrounds for the 2026 Isle of Wight Council elections, on the eve of polling day, we turn to Carisbrooke & Gunville.
Carisbrooke & Gunville sits to the west of Newport, combining the historic village of Carisbrooke with the more modern and expanding residential areas of Gunville. It is a ward where long-established communities meet newer housing, and where issues such as planning, drainage, roads and local services are central.
Created in 2021 following boundary changes, the ward produced a closely fought result at its first election. Green Party candidate Joe Lever was elected with 387 votes, ahead of Conservative Bev Hastings on 348 and Labour’s Verity Bird on 214. With Lever not standing this time, the contest is wide open.
Conservative candidate Mark Reen is pitching experience and a return to traditional party values.
A member for 40 years who has lived on the Island for 12 years, he previously worked for Warner Publishing and is presenting a message centred on aspiration and economic realism.
“The Conservatives are the only party to talk about aspiration and is on the side of people who want to get on in life.”
Mark is direct in his criticism of the current administration, describing it as a “coalition of chaos” between Independents and Greens, and framing the election as a referendum on Green representation in the ward.
“I believe the only party to get the Greens out is the Conservatives otherwise I wouldn’t be standing.”
Article continues below this advertisement
He also takes aim at the 45% increase in the Newport & Carisbrooke Community Council precept, describing it as “close to outrageous” and arguing that council tax is “regressive” and falls most heavily on working-class residents.
Locally, his campaign focuses on schools, roads and flooding, alongside concerns such as fly tipping and excessive speeds on rural roads. He has also criticised road closures, warning they risk reducing visitor numbers and harming high street footfall.
“A recipe to prevent people coming back to the Island to spend their money and drop the footfall on the High Street.”
While acknowledging Reform’s presence, Mark is dismissive of their chances, arguing there are not enough votes for them to win and insisting only the Conservatives can realistically unseat the Greens.
Vix Lowthion leads the Green challenge and brings a high profile to the contest.
One of the most recognisable political figures on the Island, she has stood in multiple general elections and currently serves as Chair of Newport & Carisbrooke Community Council.
Her campaign is firmly rooted in local issues. Flooding has emerged as a major concern, particularly in Gunville, where she links the problem to both climate change and what she sees as overdevelopment and inadequate drainage. Road safety and large housing applications are also prominent, alongside wider concerns such as the cost of living, road conditions and ferry prices.
“Residents have spoken with me about their big concerns over flooding… plus safety on the roads.”
In the short term, she is calling for funded solutions to flooding, while longer-term priorities include improving community facilities, particularly youth services and opportunities for residents to meet more regularly.
“We need to grow our sense of community and have more opportunities to meet up.”
Vix is positioning herself as both experienced and willing to take a fresh approach, arguing that her role as Chair of the town council gives her the connections to “start fighting… from the word go”, while also stressing she will not be afraid to do things differently.
Her role at Newport & Carisbrooke Community Council also places her at the centre of debate over local taxation, following a 45% increase in the town council precept. While the rise relates to a relatively small part of the overall council tax bill and is intended to fund local services, it has become a key political dividing line in the campaign.
She has identified Reform UK as a key challenger in the ward, acknowledging voter frustration but drawing a clear dividing line.
“Residents are rightly cross… but the answers are much more complex in reality.”
Reform UK’s James Downard is seeking to capitalise on that frustration and is positioning his campaign directly against the Greens.
Working for Away Resorts, he presents himself as a candidate focused on listening and accessibility, arguing that many residents feel disconnected from decision-making.
He claims the contest is already shaping up as a straight fight.
“Local people see the fight as between Greens and Reform.”
James says he has received a strong response on the doorstep and argues that at present there is “no representation for the people”, pledging to act directly on residents’ concerns.
“I would listen to the people of Carisbrooke and Gunville and do what they want.”
He has promised to be visible and accessible, including holding 2 surgeries a month, and has focused his campaign on practical local issues. Flooding is again central, which he describes as a “major problem” in parts of the ward, particularly around the back of Ash Lane. He has also highlighted road safety, including a call for a zebra crossing on a fast stretch of road in Gunville.
With no incumbent and 3 very different candidates, Carisbrooke & Gunville is shaping up as a closely fought contest.
Vote Green, for open borders, more illegals, no defence, no hope. SO DON’T VOTE GREEN.
In Carisbrooke? You know these are local council elections, right?
You forgot, legalised drugs!!!!
Vote Green! Don’t allow reform destroy local services.
Vix Lothians husband is an absolute degenerate capitalist. Sue me, Vix, if I’m wrong. She’s made a career out of her husbands money! So much for girl power, Vix… We cld all start a political party if we had rich men supporting us!! Typical Green’s
No, not typical Greens. I’m no fan of the woman in question but that is unfair to the principles of the party. And at least they have some, which is more than can be said for the other two.