A total of 9 Independent councillors on the Isle of Wight Council have confirmed they will stand for re-election at the upcoming local elections, as they look to retain control of County Hall.
The group, which forms part of the current administration, has set out its intention to continue leading the authority while maintaining an independent stance from national party politics.
It comes after the Local Democracy Reporter highlighted the amount of expenses claimed by councillors in recent years, as previously reported by Island Echo.
In a joint statement, the councillors – Cllr Debbie Andre, Cllr Jonathan Bacon, Cllr Paul Fuller, Cllr Mark Jeffries, Cllr Julie Jones Evans, Cllr Karen Lucioni, Cllr Ian Stephens, Cllr Lora Peacey Wilcox and current Leader Cllr Phil Jordan – say their focus remains firmly on local issues affecting residents across the Isle of Wight, rather than national political agendas.
They have said:
“As we approach the upcoming Isle of Wight Council elections, it’s important to clarify where we, as current Independent Councillors, stand.
“At election time, political parties often shift focus back to national issues, each vying for support based on their party’s agenda. They will be competing not only with each other but also with candidates who don’t align with their party’s views.”
The councillors say they will continue to work collaboratively and independently, without influence from national parties or external funding.
They add:
“We Independent Councillors standing for election and re-election, are taking a different approach. We are not here to promote national political agendas. Instead, we are committed to working together, as we always have, and to remaining independent of national party politics. Our focus has always been, and will continue to be, the local issues that matter to the people of this Island.
“We are not serving Westminster masters nor are we funded or led by wealthy benefactors.”
The statement acknowledges that party-political candidates will challenge them at the ballot box, but says they are prepared to work with others who prioritise local needs.
They conclude:
“This means that party-political candidates will be standing against us, which may seem like a competitive disadvantage.
“However, we will collaborate with other candidates who share our commitment to putting local people first, putting local priorities before national ones, and building a Council that serves the needs of the community rather than any national party-political interests.
“Together we aim to ensure that the Isle of Wight remains a place where local needs come first.”
Find out who your local councillor is, how and where to vote and the results of previous elections at www.isleofwight.vote - the Island's new hub for all things related to Local and General Elections, brought to you by Island Echo.
Anyone who believes that this so called independent group is anything other than labour in a different coat has been living on another planet for the last four years, Indpenedent, so why do they always vote as one, they only call themselves indepnedent because if they truly came out with their preferred political allegiances they would all be voted out.
I must admit Independent is best for local island issues.
I do not disagree, but if you take this so called group of independents, perhaps you can tell me a time when any of them have ever voted contrary to what the others voted for, they all do exactly what jordan tells them, that is not indepenednt, in thought or mind, just looking after their own interests
True, but things need to change, they need to have their
own voice.
Agree, Political and Alliance groups don’t seem to deliver. People are going to vote for some change at County Hall.
The “joint statement” ends with “Together we aim to ensure that the Isle of Wight remains a place where local needs come first.” and that is the problem.
“Local” needs should not be conflated with Island needs.
What is important to a Councillor representing and from, X ward, is of little or no consequence to a Councillor representing and from B ward.
The island suffers badly from this parochial attitude.
I remember one Councillor who represented his patch for 12 years, now retired, who used to openly admit that he looked after his own electorate and did not worry about the rest of the island.
The 9 Councillors listed in this “group” epitomise this “local needs” attitude and have been “in office” for far too long.
Time to put the Island, the whole island, first and not just your bit of it!
I’m hoping all of them, including Love are all gone come May. We need a complete clear out of the cesspit that is county hall with Jordan being theain protagonist. Thank god Brodie is standing down already.
I must say from what I have seen, Love has done a great job
for East Cowes.
Vote Reform, the only party on the side of the people.
If only that was true, you so need to do your homework
some people believe anything they hear!
Independents all have different aims and that causes chaos. We had five years of raised costs, indecision, and worse services. What happened to the Regeneration Dept? Scrapped, that’s what!! Get them out now.
I won’t be voting in any of those bunch of muppets whose only interest is their back pockets. I’d vote the lot out though and hopefully get some in that actually care about island
It is not worth walking to the polling station for
these local elections.
Nothing will change.
Which party apart from the Greens will address the speeding
issues on the island.
It is imperative that we maintain a collective perspective regarding the human element of local governance. Those who stand for public office are not abstract entities; they are our fellow citizens—brothers, sisters, parents, and children—who have stepped forward to serve our community.
While we are fortunate to live in a pluralistic democracy that celebrates the right to choose our representatives, we must distinguish between constructive discourse and unproductive vitriol.
I would like to think that if there are substantive concerns regarding a councillor’s performance or policy, the appropriate and most effective recourse is direct, professional engagement via official channels, rather than the dissemination of inflammatory rhetoric in public forums.
There is a comprehensive record of councillor remuneration below to correct recent misinformation. It is vital to clarify that the ‘headline’ figures often cited—such as £70,000—represent a cumulative total over a five-year period, not an annual salary. In reality, the average annual allowance for these senior roles is approximately £21,000, while a backbench councillor receives just £10,800.
When measured against the hours required to fulfill these duties, this compensation falls significantly below the National Minimum Wage, underscoring that these roles are driven by a commitment to public service rather than financial gain.
Remember, Be Kind, we all live in a tough world.
I wish to make it clear that my husband Richard Hollis who is standing as an Independent Candidate in Cowes North is not confused with this group who refer to themselves as the Alliance Group of Independent Councillors led by Phil Jordan, Leader of the Council. Richard is truly independent, experienced in Local Government and is not aligned to any party. He has lived full time in Cowes North for over 20 years.
I wish to make it clear that my husband Richard who is standing as an Independent Candidate in Cowes North is not part of this group who refer to themselves as the Alliance Group of Independent Councillors. Richard is truly independent, experienced in Local Government and local. He has lived full time in Cowes North for over 20 years.