This week’s Lake North Isle of Wight Council by-election will cost an estimated £5,146, it has been revealed.
The poll, to take place on Thursday (2nd October), was called after the resignation of Reform UK’s David Maclean, just months after being elected at a previous by-election.
In response to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, County Hall detailed spending on a polling station and count, including staff and hire costs, printing and posting polling cards, stationery and ballot papers and postal votes.
The FOI response says roughly £1,481 will be spent on the polling station and count, £2,400 on polling cards, £464 on stationery and £801 on postal votes.
In May, 3 by-elections were held for the Central Rural, Freshwater South and Lake North wards.
A Wroxall, Lowtherville and Bonchurch by-election then took place in July after the resignation of Alliance independent councillor Rodney Downer.
Cllr Caroline Gladwin, Reform UK county councillor for Central Rural ward, has said:
“Reform UK regrets the loss of a man (David Maclean) who we firmly believe would have grown into a good councillor and representative of his ward residents had he been given the opportunity to deal with the loss of his relative in peace but instead he was attacked by his defeated opponents from the very minute of his election.
Article continues below this advertisement “The responsibility for the costs of this by-election therefore lie with those who attacked him without mercy, and not with Mr Maclean or Reform UK.”
The full list of candidates for the Lake North by-election is:
• Bob Blezzard (Liberal Democrat)
• Christopher Lloyd (Labour Party)
• Robert May (The Green Party)
• Bill Nigh (Reform UK)
• Adrian Whittaker (The Conservative Party)
That’s the price of democracy
I remember the democracy days, not anymore under this
Labour Government.
Once they mandate their digital ID’s you will be limited
how much meat etc you can buy!
T.Bs son already has his business lined up for launching
digital ID
That will be the end of normality the way we knew it!
A total waste of money.
Oh come on, Ms Gladwin. The man didn’t even bother to attend his own count. He was clearly not serious about serving the community. Please don’t patronise us with some spurious defence.
So what, in the scheme of things it’s not that expensive, unlike Jordans fiasco of a floating bridge.
How many of the electorate realise one of the candidates has a conviction for asulting a serving police officer who was doing their duty.?