In the third of our in-depth series on the main battlegrounds for the 2026 Isle of Wight Council elections, we turn to Pan & Barton – an open contest in which a new councillor looks set to fill Geoff Brodie’s shoes.
Pan & Barton covers the eastern side of Newport, taking in large residential areas stretching from Coppins Bridge towards Barton and the Pan estate. Formerly part of Newport East, it is a densely populated, urban ward defined by housing, schools and day-to-day pressures rather than tourism.
It is widely regarded as one of the most deprived parts of the Island, with long-standing issues around housing, services and infrastructure shaping local priorities.
For 2 decades, the area was closely associated with one councillor. Geoff Brodie first represented Newport East in 2005 and built a strong personal following, becoming known as a forthright and independent voice at County Hall. Originally elected as a Labour councillor before later leading the Very Broad Church group, he remained a prominent and sometimes outspoken figure on council finances and governance.
His decision to step down leaves the ward without an incumbent for the first time in many years – and opens the door to a very different kind of contest.
Standing this time are Martin Bower for Reform UK, Stephen Reading for Labour and Brian Tyndall for the Conservatives.
Labour’s Stephen Reading is seeking to position himself as the natural successor to Brodie.
A Newport resident who raised his family locally, with grandchildren attending Barton school, he brings strong personal ties to the area. His background as a small business adviser has seen him support Island firms to start, develop and grow, while also helping schools navigate the pressures of austerity. Alongside this, he has been involved in voluntary work, including at the Apollo Theatre.
Reading has emphasised his long-standing Labour roots, describing himself as a lifelong supporter and trade union member, and has made clear that his politics “fall broadly in line” with Brodie’s, arguing he is best placed to continue that approach.
“As a Small Business Adviser, I worked with Island businesses, helping them start, develop and grow. I’m looking forward to working with local people and businesses, to help make our community a place to be proud of.”
His campaign focuses on practical local issues, including supporting tenants under new renters’ rights legislation, improving access to services such as Citizens Advice away from County Hall, backing community groups like Pan Together and addressing concerns around road adoption and maintenance. He also places emphasis on protecting the NHS and workers’ rights.
The Conservatives are represented by Brian Tyndall, the most experienced candidate in the field.
A former Isle of Wight councillor who served 2 terms, including as Chairman of the Budget and Audit Committee, he brings a detailed understanding of how County Hall operates. Now retired after a career in the packaging industry, he is pitching himself as a candidate who understands both the system and the realities of delivering change.
Tyndall paid tribute to Geoff Brodie, saying:
“He put the people of Pan before everyone else. He has been the councillor for years and I have every respect for him.”
He has stressed the importance of experience in navigating the council:
“You can’t just wander into County Hall and expect to change things overnight… it’s going to be a reality check for any new candidate.”
He also highlighted the importance of working effectively with officers, arguing that without experience “you won’t get the best from the council”, and described the role as “a 24 hour a day job if you are doing it properly”. Tyndall identifies social housing and welfare as the key issues facing the ward.
Reform UK’s Martin Bower enters the race with a broad working background and a locally rooted narrative.
Before retirement, he worked for the MOD, Customs & Excise, in the maritime industry and later as a bus and lorry driver and postman – a mix of roles that he says give him a practical understanding of everyday working life.
He has also been active in the community, volunteering with the steam railway, driving a minibus for the blind and working with Gift to Nature. His family connection to the area dates back decades, with his mother moving to the Pan estate in 1978, and Bower himself returning to live permanently on the Island 6 years ago. He now lives in Pan Close.
He describes Pan as a close-knit community and says housing is the biggest issue facing residents, arguing that too many people have been placed into social housing without the supporting infrastructure in place, including GP access, dentistry and debt support.
He has also pointed to the importance of local organisations, saying he would work with Pan Together but believes it needs stronger backing from the council. More broadly, he argues that council spending needs closer scrutiny, suggesting contracts should be reviewed to cut waste and inefficiency.
“This is a local election to improve things locally. National issues such as immigration just detract from what Reform can do.”
Framing his campaign around restoring confidence, he adds:
“The people of Pan and Barton want change and action. People have become apathetic and disengaged because they don’t see hope of improvement… I’m passionate about delivering change.”
With no incumbent and 3 very different candidates, Pan & Barton stands out as one of the most open contests on the Isle of Wight.
We don’t want ANYONE in there who is without real principles, not out here in the real world with ordinary people, or purely for their own gain, we have already had decades of that. They need to prove they are in there for US, THE PEOPLE, or not bother at all
I received two pieces of literature through my letterbox.
One from Reform and one from Labour.
Neither had a contact address for the candidates – so unable to ask what their views were on any subject – so as to make an informed choice. Even Electoral Services unable to help.
Mine were filed in the waste bin immediately, especially the
Reform one.
Glad Brodie is gone he was troubled
” National issues such as immigration just detract from what Reform can do”
That’s almost the only thing the Reform party leader talks about. Maybe Martin Bower is standing for the wrong party?