Island Echo spoke with Green Party candidates Vix Lowthion (Isle of Wight East) and Cameron Palin (Isle of Wight West) to ask why Islanders should trust them with their vote in the general election on 4th July. The history of the Green Party on the Island is a rather brief one with Paul Scivier – who ran in successive elections back in 1997 and 2001 – the first Green Party representative. Vix Lowthion has run in 2015, 2017 and 2019. Bob Keats secured 931 votes back in 2010.
Vix Lowthion is contesting Isle of Wight East for the Green Party. Vix, real name Victoria, has worked as a teacher for 25 years having started – following her University studies – at an inner-city school in Leeds. She is the national education spokesperson for the Green Party, a role she has held since 2016, and currently teaches History and Geology at the Island VI Form. Having moved down to the Island initially to be closer to her sister back in 2005, she is very much settled into Island life, living in Newport with her 3 teenage sons. Vix loves Island life, but her favourite place is Ryde Seafront – the place where she launched her election campaign earlier this month – as previously reported by Island Echo. 
What do you love about Island life and what do you do to relax? I volunteer at the Apollo Theatre and enjoy watching my sons take to the stage in their own endeavours. I love walking and have walked around 95% of the Island’s footpaths and enjoy a weekly meetup with my mates on a Sunday afternoon at the pub. If your party didn’t exist who would be getting your vote? My first vote was for an independent candidate standing in the 1997 election. I’ve never voted Labour, and I’ve never voted Conservative. It’s either been Lib Dem, Green or Independent. Why did you join your party and why did you decide to stand? I’d never been involved in politics or a political party before but when my kids were little I joined the Open University to study in the evenings learning geology, chemistry and energy and sustainability. Because of what I was learning, I decided to go to some meetings. With the general election looming, it was suggested I stand, and it seemed a fun thing to do. We went from 900 to 9,000 votes, and I’ve stayed involved ever since. What do you think is the biggest concern facing the Island and its residents? There are lots of issues, but it is probably the ferries. Not just visitors coming to the Island or Islanders heading off but also those people getting on and off for things like GP appointments. Something needs to change. Why should Island Echo readers put their faith in Vix Lowthion and the Green Party on Polling Day? We know the Conservatives will lose, but people are also wondering if they want the Labour Party. We need MP’s who are able to speak up and speak out on the issues and don’t have to worry about what those parties are saying. That’s what I would be offering.
Cameron Palin is contesting Isle of Wight West for the Green Party. 21-year-old Cameron – who’s very much an East Cowes man through and through – lives in the North Wight town with his partner and young 1-year-old son and teaches at a local secondary school. Palin has been a member of East Cowes Town Council since 2021 and is currently the deputy mayor. Cameron admits that the Island is ‘where his heart is’ and that he wants to ‘make a difference’. His first foray into the world of politics/public office was back in 2017 when he was just 14 years old. 
What do you love about Island life and what do you do to relax? Of an evening, me, my partner and my son often like going to the beach, especially Compton, where my son loves to crawl around in the sand. If your party didn’t exist who would be getting your vote? Starmer’s Labour Party is a lot different to Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour Party and I – with my conscience – couldn’t vote for Labour, Conservatives or Lib Dem. I have to say that if I couldn’t vote Green, I would probably spoil my ballot. Why did you join your party and why did you decide to stand? I’ve been involved with politics since I was 14 and the debacle of Ryde Arena first began. I got involved in the Ryde Arena Community Action Group and campaigned with them during the 2017 election, and it was here that I met Caroline Lucas (twice leader of the Green Party). Other issues, such as the Floating Bridge, made me realise that those in power just aren’t doing it and that we needed local people to do it, and I’m willing to be that person. What do you think is the biggest concern facing the Island and its residents? It’s got to be the ferries, we need to put them into the hands of the public. What makes both the Green Party candidates here on the Island so united? I supported Vix back in the 2017 and 2019 election. We both bring different things to the table, but we work together so well. We’re showing – unlike some other parties perhaps – that if we are both elected, me and Vix can work together for the Island. What do you say to those who may not vote for you because of your age? I have faced this question before, and I know that people reading this may say I’m too young, but I have a lot of experience for someone of a young age. I can represent everyone in my constituency. I have the national party backing, the local experience and intel, and that makes me the best candidate. Why should Island Echo readers put their faith in Cameron Palin and the Green Party on Polling Day? This election is going to be one in a lifetime. There has been 14 years of Tory cuts, austerity and broken promises. The Labour Party are not offering real change, and they are practically the same as the Conservatives. I will stand up for you in Westminster with your issues on my mind.
Gods sake. Pass the bucket for a good chunder to the tune of kumbaya.
Victoria lowthion is about as green as my gas guzzling Merc. We all know she is in politics for the magical pot of gold. Power and money are her gods. Terrible woman.
Vix sounds like one of those nicknames someone makes up for themself to try and appear cool. I prefer the spelling Vicks, which is also excellent for the relief of nasal congestion. I like to rub it on my chest too. Vicks that is, not Vix, which is a deeply unpleasant thought.
Greens Always the bridesmaid .. but never the bride !!
Reform is the way to go, for we need an end to what is otherwise a truly never ending amount of people filling this small country, which, apparently,’ can’t feed its own people without foodbanks, can’t treat it’s own people without huge delays, and can’t build enough houses for it’s own, so how the heck can it do all the above for the overspill of the third world forever too?
THINK, see the real problem, THEN vote refrom.
All local matters can be dealt with by them as well as any other party. See the larger picture, then vote Reform.
Even your own candidates are now resigning realising the racist and bigoted party that Deform is
That is very true Paul. I was reading an article tonight.
The worse thing that can happen to this country is for
Deform to be in Power.
There would be a civil war.
Only uneducated people would think of voting Deform.
Yeah because labour hasn’t had a problem with anti-semitism, and the conservatives haven’t been accused of islamophobia, and tories at the university were definitely not singing nazi songs… Those without sin cast the first stone.
A mainland Reform candidate stepped down today due to racism row.
That’s one of the problems with voting Reform
Must be a R acist to do so.
Labour for me.
Just the issue of anti-semitic people and Diane Abbott and her racism to deal with then….
For years the island as lacked diversity, but thankfully
after all these years the island is finally changing for the better.
Change is what the island needs, the island needs
people of ‘all’ nationalities / cultures to fill the roles that are needed
to treat people, there are not enough Island born
persons to fill the empty roles, eg Nurses and Carers etc.
Labour is the party to make our NHS great again!
My advice to people is to vote Labour
Shame to see so many down votes for you Emma. I think yours is the most sensible post I’ve read for a while.
Those would be Islanders with to much genetic in breeding…and owning two or three keyboards to troll about on happily I ntil it’s time for mummy to say computer is going off…it’s the same genetic make up which involves a hefty dollop of “assuming”they know what’s going on because The Daily fail says so”sad but true”!.
Emma, will you feel the same way after labour give illegal migrants housing and shove our own people further down the housing waiting list, that rayner woman said on tv that her party would force all councils to accept and prioritise migrants
china, india, pakistan, most african countries and north korea all lack diversity – not hearing you complain about it – if you want to import all sorts of dross into this country, then start by having them in your home, your street and spending your tax money on their benefits.
With “Zeig Heil”being your/their mantra thanks but no thanks,it can’t feed its own people because of the energy/food cost crisis nothing to do with immigration everything to do with a Conservative party to deluded to know it’s not wanted and Reform is just the left overs from their Right Wing!!jog on The Country needs a change but not to the tune of “jack boots and one armed salutes”!!
Only people dumb enough to think this world isn’t flat are dumb enough to vote green. We need Reform to stop the brown wave.
Dumb enough to think this world ISN’T flat??
I think you’ve just defined the mental ability of a typical Deformist.
daft racist
Vote Reform, for if you won’t live to regret not doing so, highly likely your children will.
Having a genuinely never ending amount of people forcing themselves upon our country is the least ‘ green’ action imaginable.
With more people comes more demand for homes taking up green fields, adding to demand for energy, water, extra sewage to treat, more heating used , more cars , more water run off adding to flooding. AND all this and more from people who have nothing, have arrived uninvited, illegally, and will have huge families adding to all the above and much more.
Vote Reform or force your children to a life far worse than what you wished for for them.
Reform will ruin childrens lives.
So life is so much better in inner cities where those carrying guns, knives, acid, drug dealing, sex slavery, genital mutilation, mugging, gang raping, is so much ‘better’ an example for our children to follow? Wake up idiot, and Vote Reform
Only a Muppet would vote for The Deform Party!
Sorry, just realised I had a typo in that last line,.. it should have read:
“Vote Reform and force your children to a life far worse than what you wished for for them”
Got my palin flyer through the door the other day,so i put it straight into my green bin!
Vote Reform, the government, establishment, and the so called high and mighty are now running scared of Reform, and rightly so, this country and its leaders for to long has been too scared to call out things that are going wrong.
Only a Muppet would vote for The Deform Party
you do understand that Herr Fuhrage is the “ESTABLISHMENT” don’t you? Oh too thick, surprising
Thick is when you can’t even get the name Farage right.
Think you will find that was a play on Fuhrer tbh, try reading the qoutecagain
This must be the most boring party i have come across and when you see the rest that takes some doing.
The Greens are well meaning lovely people however, they are a very small voice in politics, a voice that will get very little done for the island. A shame I know, but sadly that’s the way politics work in this country!
Caroline Lucas made a lot of important points in parliament despite being a lone voice, and I think Vix will do the same.
None of which actually achieved anything, Vix will be the same!
I see a lot of Deformists here. Even Nigel has had to kick out 3 candidates and another has chosen to leave because of their extreme ideology. Hardly the right party for a place in our houses of parliament.
Whatever you do, don’t vote for extremism; don’t vote for racism; don’t vote Deform.
Just vote labour,as a vote for them is a vote for muslim britain!
Neither of them even live in the places they are supposed to be representing.
Great start.
A more useless party there has never been, they want to force us to live in some green utopia where fields grow flowers not food and despite there being no viable alternative transport over much of the Island they want fossil fuelled vehicles banned when there is no possible way the National Grid can ever cope with the required power for EV’s which incidentally utterly pollute vast areas of the 3rd world during the extraction of cobalt and lithium to make batteries that at this time will only last around 5 years and are impossible to safely recycle.
Good thing I don’t vote for people that dress like shit
Which means I won’t be voting
Once again, someone who is not very clever has decided to try to use my identity to insult people. Shows the lack of intelligence behind your posts. Shame on you plastic qwerty.
He says replying to a 4channer