Island Echo understands that Town, Parish and Community Council elections will go ahead in May, giving Islanders some sort of say in the future of local politics.
Last week it was confirmed by the Government that the Local Elections – where residents vote for who they want to represent their community on the Isle of Wight Council – have been postponed until May 2026.
The decision is as a result of the fast-tracked devolution deal that the Solent region has expressed an interest in, and was accepted by the Labour Government earlier this month.
Islanders have been up roar about losing the ability to have a vote this May, but news reaches Island Echo tonight that it appears elections for Town, Parish and Community Councils will go ahead in less than 3 months’ time.
The Isle of Wight Council’s officers have been informed of the decision by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, although formal written confirmation is awaited.
The news means that Islanders will be able to vote for who they want to represent them on local councils, such as Ryde Town Council or Newport & Carisbrooke Community Council. This will give a strong indication as to how the Island is feeling politically – and could be an opportunity for Reform UK to clinch their first local seats, although town/parish elections tend to be less political in nature.
It is also a possibility that by-elections could be held for Isle of Wight Council seats if existing councillors decide to stand down, in light of the 12-month extension to their term. These by-elections would be held on the same day as Town, Parish and Community Council elections so that costs can be shared in the normal way.
However, this is subject to secondary legislation being laid down in sufficient time.
Island Echo understands Joe Robertson, Isle of Wight East MP, will not be standing down this May as originally planned and Richard Quigley, Isle of Wight West MP, is in talks with the monitoring officer about his future as a local councillor.
It is not clear at this stage how, in the future, the re-alignment of Town, Parish and Community Council elections will happen to tie in with those of the Isle of Wight Council elections.
Reform is a nightmare waiting too happen.
So many Numpty’s who are anti-immigration.
The country would be lost without immigration.
Don’t talk rubbish, the numbers of immigrants is just to much for the country to afford. As I have said before if you would like to house some yourself and be the so called do-gooder you spout on about being.
Maybe you are happy that as much as £8 billion of taxes is used to provide illegals with everything they need, whilst many pensioners cant afford to heat their (our) homes, but to many of us this is just too much and not sustainable.
Your comments have no factual basis,we do not need as a country to be assimilated into another muslim state which is fast becoming reality, multiculturism like comprehensive education and nationalised industries are politics of the the 1960’s.