Reform UK have regained an Isle of Wight Council seat following Bill Nigh’s victory in the Lake North by-election tonight (Thursday).
The by-election was called after the resignation of Reform councillor David Maclean back in August.
Maclean, who won by nearly 60 votes back in May, attended just 2 of his 6 committee meetings whilst in post.
The count at the Lions Day and Community Centre got underway promptly after polling closed at 22:00, a declaration was made at around 23:15.
A total of 789 people in the ward turned out to vote. There were 554 in person votes and 235 postal votes. The overall turnout was 20 less than the turnout back in May.
Nigh, who secured around 36% of the votes, fought off competition from Conservative Adrian Whittaker to be elected onto the Isle of Wight Council. He joins Caroline Gladwin (Central Rural) as Reform Councillors on the IWC.
This was Nigh’s 3rd attempt at getting onto the Isle of Wight Council following previous attempts to be the elected representative for the Freshwater South and Wroxall, Lowtherville and Bonchurch wards.
Lake North – 2025 By-Election Results
- Bob Blezzard (Liberal Democrat) – 118
- Christopher Lloyd (Labour) – 44
- Robert May (Green) – 88
- Bill Nigh (Reform UK) – 290
- Adrian Whittaker (Conservative) – 249
Best thing about the result is not that Reform won,
it’s that Labour came last.
This result means Nigh and Gladwyn can start preparing for government.
How the hell did we vote in Reform after the issues with the last councillor (death in the family or not – he could have communicated far better and to my knowledge never even attended a parish council meeting or had a photograph taken in Lake.
Joe Robertson is on the Island this week. Couldn’t be arsed to make an appearance in the Bay. Couldn’t support his candidate.
i suspect we’ll all get to experience the Reform governance when they inevitably win the Hampshire and Solent election anyway.
What people don’t seem to realise is that
The Reform party will be the old Tory party
when they win the 2029 election.
My guess is near the election Nige will jump ship
and Bojo will takeover.
I will now out my crystal ball away.
Lol
Good to see Labour back where it should be – at the bottom of the pile thanks to 2 tier Kier.
Labour got their just desserts.
Pensioners will never forget!!
Well done Bill. Low turnout but a win is a win.
Great news. Many more will follow