2013 Isle of Wight Council election

2013 UK local government election November 2013 October 2024 2013 Isle of Wight Council election Isle of Wight Flag of the Isle of Wight.svg parliamentary Popular 2009 Isle of Wight Council election 2009 yes 2013 5 2 Isle of Wight Council election, 2017 2017 All 40 seats to the Isle of Wight Council 21 35.4% Conservative Party (UK) 24 15 9 000000 Island Independents New Party 15 15 UKIP Did not stand 2 2 Labour Party (UK) 1 2 1 Liberal Democrats (UK) 5 1 4 Conservative Party (UK) Council governing party TBD thumb|right|300px|2013 local election results on the Isle of Wight The 2013 Isle of Wight Council election was held on 2 May 2013 to elect all 40 members for a four-year term to the Isle of Wight Council, a unitary authority which governs the Isle of Wight. Going into the election, the Conservative Party was looking to gain a third term in power after first being elected to overall control in 2005, but in one of the shock results of the wider local elections being held in the country, the Conservatives lost overall control of the council, having been reduced to 15 seats, 6 short of a majority of 21. The 'Island Independents', a mutually supporting group of candidates and councillors running as independents, gained the same number of seats, whilst other independents, UKIP, Labour, and a Liberal Democrat made up the remainder. Emblematic of the election, the Conservative leader of the council, David Pugh, lost his own seat to an Island Independent. The popular perception of the reasons for the Conservative losses was, in the words of OnTheWight, 'It's widely thought that the way they implemented the financial cuts turned the Island against them. Particularly unpopular was the wholesale closing of the Tourist Information centres and public toilets.'Perry Sally Isle of Wight election: Independent councillors now the largest group http://onthewight.com/2013/05/03/isle-of-wight-election-conservatives-lose-majority/ 4 May 2013 OnTheWight 3 May 2013 With neither the Conservatives or the Island Independents gaining a majority outright, control of the authority was initially in doubt, but on 8 May the Island Independents announced the five non-aligned independents would be joining their group. Background Politics of the Isle of Wight Leading into the 2005 council election, the Liberal Democrats and its predecessors had been in power on the island since 1981,Russell Andrew Neither Left Nor Right: The Liberal Democrats and the Electorate 2005 Manchester University Press 175 https://books.google.com/books?id=dI0RrghX82oC albeit since 2001 in coalition with a group of independents. However, public opposition to a school closure program by the council led to the rout of the Liberal Democrats, and the election of the Conservatives to take over. Education remained a major issue as the Conservatives under Council Leader David Pugh sought re-election in 2009, with plans to redress problems caused by the island's unusual three-tier education structure having elicited further controversy – and the resignation of several Conservative councillors in protest – and a sluggish economy with unemployment higher than the average of South East England playing against the party as well.Henley Peter Tories keen to retain popularity http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/8055100.stm 4 May 2013 BBC News 18 May 2009 In the end, the Conservatives won re-election, but held only 24 seats, a drop of 9 since the last election, although a boundary review had led to the abolition of 8 seats. Behind them, independents made up the next largest contingent on the council, winning 10 seats, whilst the Liberal Democrats failed to make headway.Wright Richard Tories surge back in Island polls http://www.iwcp.co.uk/news/news/tories-surge-back-in-island-polls-26595.aspx 4 May 2013 Isle of Wight County Press 5 June 2009 Campaign As the 2013 campaign started, education remained a top issue. Though the three-tier system had been abolished in favour of two tiers, three of the island's six secondary schools were judged 'inadequate' by Ofsted. Simon Perry, editor of OnTheWight, remarked to the BBC that education was the single biggest priority for voters.Isle of Wight election: Parties back independents against Tories https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-22339506 4 May 2013 BBC News 1 May 2013 In addition, the council agreed to transfer some of its education powers to Hampshire County Council,Findon Ross Minister’s concerns over Isle of Wight education http://iwcp.co.uk/news/news/ministers-concerns-over-isle-of-wight-education-49180.aspx 4 May 2013 Isle of Wight County Press 29 April 2013 despite not being under its jurisdiction; and problems over education were further amplified for the Conservatives when the chief executive of the council, Steve Benyon, departed controversially after the Ofsted inspections.Perry Simon IW Council Chief Exec office and Chair both say Steve Beynon retiring. Beynon’s payoff says redundant. Which is it? Even the to http://onthewight.com/2013/03/22/iw-council-chief-exec-office-and-chair-both-say-steve-beynon-retiring-beynons-payoff-says-redundant-which-is-it/ 4 May 2013 OnTheWight 22 March 2013 Beyond this local issue was the impact of national politics: the Conservatives were into their third year of governing the United Kingdom in coalition with the Liberal Democrats, implementing unpopular austerity measures and fending off challenges from Labour on the left and UKIP on the right. Cuts to local government forced the council to implement their own cost-saving measures, which included closing public toilets and tourist information centres. The Conservatives campaigned on working with the private sector to improve the local economy, and minimising future council tax rises. The Island Independents – a group of mutually-supporting candidates and councillors standing as independents – pledged to create a more transparent administration that worked more with islanders on decision-making. Their campaign was launched by former independent MP Martin Bell. Labour focused its campaign on improving facilities for disabled people, including trying to repair the council's relationship with the disabled-orientated Riverside Centre, and working to prevent schools on the island from becoming academies; the Liberal Democrats, meanwhile, promised to invest more into children's services and to start an affordable housing program. UKIP, trying to enter the council for the first time, pledged to re-open public toilets and tourist information centres, campaign for a grammar school, protect the Frank James Hospital, and allow their councillors to vote without a party whip.Findon Ross Manifesto promises ahead of election http://www.iwcp.co.uk/news/news/manifesto-promises-ahead-of-election-49178.aspx?mn=1 4 May 2013 Isle of Wight County Press 26 April 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130927135028/http://www.iwcp.co.uk/news/news/manifesto-promises-ahead-of-election-49178.aspx?mn=1 27 September 2013 dead The election in the Shanklin South ward, held by Pugh, soon became the most high-profile battle of the campaign. Facing Pugh was Richard Priest, manager of the Riverside Centre and a town councillor, standing as an Island Independent. Fearful of splitting the anti-Pugh vote and sensing Priest had the best chance of defeating Pugh, Labour and UKIP decided not to field candidates in the ward.Perry Sally David Pugh defeated in Isle of Wight local election http://onthewight.com/2013/05/03/pugh-defeated-in-isle-of-wight-local-election/ 4 May 2013 OnTheWight 3 May 2013 Meanwhile, the continuing decline of the Liberal Democrats on the island became more evident during the campaign. Aside from their local problems since their last stint in power, the national party had been battered by its involvement in government with the Conservatives. Bob Blezzard, a high-profile Liberal Democrat on the island, resigned from the party in 2012 and publicly denounced his national party leader, Nick Clegg, before announcing he would stand as an independent candidate to the council for Sandown North.Newble David Clegg forced me to quit http://www.iwcp.co.uk/news/news/clegg-forced-me-to-quit-47238.aspx 4 May 2013 Isle of Wight County Press 2 December 2012 Former council leader, Shirley Smart, likewise decided to resign from the party and stand as an independent in Newport South. Neither aligned themselves with the Island Independents. In the end, the Liberal Democrats were only able to field seven candidates, with group leader Reg Barry saying it was a 'shame' that Blezzard and Smart, among others, 'have turned their back'.Election: Candidates to learn their fate http://www.iwcp.co.uk/news/news/election-candidates-to-learn-their-fate-49275.aspx 4 May 2013 Isle of Wight County Press 3 May 2013 The UKIP campaign ran into some difficulty when they were accused by the Conservatives of falsifying signatures on the electoral nomination forms of their candidate for Newport North – the police were unable to give judgement on the complaint before the election.Perry Simon Uncertain if UKIP candidate can prove innocence – or otherwise – before election http://onthewight.com/2013/04/30/uncertain-if-ukip-candidate-can-prove-innocence-or-otherwise-before-election/ 4 May 2013 OnTheWight 30 April 2013 Results With all ward results declared on the day after the election, the Conservatives had lost their majority on the council. After winning 24 seats in 2009, with a majority of 4, the party ended up with 15 seats, 6 short of overall control – a net loss of 9 seats. The Island Independents, on the other hand, won 15 seats as well. UKIP gained representation on the council for the first time, winning 2 seats, whilst Labour reclaimed Lake North, lost in 2009. The Liberal Democrats achieved their worst result on the island since the party's formation, holding onto only Reg Barry's seat. Blezzard and Smart, however, were elected as independents, as were another three candidates who were also not aligned with the Island Independents. The most notable result though, was Pugh's defeat to Priest by only 10 votes. Without a seat on the council, Pugh lost its leadership, and that of the Conservative group – on 7 May, Cllr Dave Stewart was chosen to replace Pugh as leader of the group.Whitehouse Cllr Chris Island Conservatives have just announced their new leader http://onthewight.com/2013/05/08/island-conservatives-have-just-announced-their-new-leader/ 8 May 2013 OnTheWight 8 May 2013 After his election defeat, Pugh remarked 'Clearly I'm disappointed. It's been a privilege to serve the island.'Isle of Wight council leader David Pugh loses in election vote https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-22397014 4 May 2013 BBC News 3 May 2013 With neither the Conservatives or the Island Independents winning a majority outright, both sides vied to win the support of other councillors to form their own administration. On 8 May, the Island Independents announced that the five other independents had joined their group.Pearce Emily New council leader to be decided http://www.iwcp.co.uk/news/news/new-council-leader-to-be-decided-49302.aspx 8 May 2013 Isle of Wight County Press 8 May 2013 The next election to the council was held in May 2017 and led to the Conservatives regaining control of the council. Arreton and NewchurchElection: Live results http://www.iwcp.co.uk/news/news/election-live-results-49270.aspx 6 May 2013 Isle of Wight County Press 3 May 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130506134333/http://www.iwcp.co.uk/news/news/election-live-results-49270.aspx 6 May 2013 dead Island Independents Colin Richards 529 41.04 Conservative Party (UK) Erica Oulton 458 35.53 UK Independence Party Ian Sherfield 299 23.20 71 5.52 1289 41.99 Island Independents Liberal Democrats (UK) Binstead and Fishbourne Island Independents Ivor Warlow 559 48.19 Conservative Party (UK) Sylvia Sillar 315 27.16 UK Independence Party Alan Darnell 225 19.40 Labour Party (UK) Katie Curtis 61 5.26 244 21.03 1160 41.94 Island Independents Conservative Party (UK) Brading, St Helens and Bembridge (2 seats) Island Independents Jonathan Bacon 1308 51.31 Island Independents Gordon Kendall 1121 43.98 Conservative Party (UK) Geoff Giles 732 28.72 UK Independence Party Mike Tarrant 741 29.07 Conservative Party (UK) Mary Collis 607 23.81 Labour Party (UK) Peter Coleman 131 5.14 576 12.41 380 8.19 2549 41.19 Island Independents Independent (politician) Island Independents Independent (politician) Carisbrooke Conservative Party (UK) John Hobart 431 48.65 Island Independents Mike Powell 380 42.89 Labour Party (UK) Nick Wray 72 8.13 71 5.52 51 5.78 Conservative Party (UK) Central Wight Conservative Party (UK) Bob Seely 700 51.93 UK Independence Party Sally Turner 342 25.37 Green Party of England and Wales Bob Keats 297 22.03 358 26.74 1348 46.42 Conservative Party (UK) Chale, Niton & Whitwell Conservative Party (UK) Dave Stewart 658 60.70 UK Independence Party Jai Nolan 256 23.62 Labour Party (UK) Simon Haytack 168 15.50 402 37.15 1084 47.19 Conservative Party (UK) Cowes Medina Independent (politician) Lora Peacey-Wilcox 605 70.35 Conservative Party (UK) David Walters 158 18.37 Labour Party (UK) Margaret Bryan 97 11.28 447 51.98 860 27.63 Independent (politician) Conservative Party (UK) Cowes North Conservative Party (UK) Paul Bertie 416 51.36 UK Independence Party Rose Lynden-Bell 340 41.98 76 10.05 810 31.12 Conservative Party (UK) Cowes South & Northwood Conservative Party (UK) John Nicholson 518 50.44 Island Independents Jude Ferris 502 48.88 16 1.57 1027 34.34 Conservative Party (UK) Cowes West & Gurnard Independent (politician) Paul Fuller 1143 81.94 Conservative Party (UK) Mark McNeill 247 17.71 896 64.46 1395 45.93 Independent (politician) East Cowes Island Independents Luisa Hillard 367 30.66 Conservative Party (UK) Margaret Webster 364 30.41 UK Independence Party Daniel Moss 323 26.98 Liberal Democrats (UK) Bob Packham 137 11.45 3 0.25 1197 39.39 Island Independents Conservative Party (UK) Freshwater North Conservative Party (UK) David Eccles 402 53.89 UK Independence Party Michael Jennings 313 41.96 89 12.45 746 31.76 Conservative Party (UK) Freshwater South Independent (politician) John Medland 480 48.88 Conservative Party (UK) George Cameron 320 32.59 UKIP Paul Taylor 179 18.23 160 16.34 982 39.84 Independent (politician) Conservative Party (UK) Godshill and Wroxall Island Independents Rodney Downer 773 68.96 UK Independence Party Paul St John Martin 191 17.04 Conservative Party (UK) Nick John 112 9.99 Labour Party (UK) Jane McKean 45 4.01 582 51.92 1121 43.40 Island Independents Independent (politician) Havenstreet, Ashey and Haylands Conservative Party (UK) Conrad Gauntlett 287 33.26 Island Independents Vanessa Churchman 249 28.85 UK Independence Party Kim Joyce 194 22.48 Liberal Democrats (UK) Malcolm Ross 129 14.95 38 4.42 863 30.70 Conservative Party (UK) Independent (politician) Lake North Labour Party (UK) Alan Hollands 355 41.09 Conservative Party (UK) Gerry White 271 31.37 UKIP Emerson Maguire 234 27.08 84 9.77 864 30.48 Labour Party (UK) Conservative Party (UK) Lake South Conservative Party (UK) Ray Bloomfield 381 38.25 UKIP Hugh Dinsdale 331 33.23 Independent (politician) Geoff Clynch 277 27.81 50 5.06 996 33.71 Conservative Party (UK) Nettlestone and Seaview Liberal Democrats (UK) Reg Barry 830 60.67 Conservative Party (UK) Diana Tuson 389 28.44 UKIP Philip Letwin 149 10.89 441 32.24 1368 53.63 Liberal Democrats (UK) Newport Central Conservative Party (UK) Julie Jones-Evans 375 47.41 Labour Party (UK) Adrian Nicholas 140 17.70 Island Independents Verity Bird 138 17.45 UK Independence Party Thomas Soutar 133 16.81 235 29.90 791 25.93 Conservative Party (UK) Newport East Labour Party (UK) Geoff Lumley 443 60.44 UKIP Richard Leppard 161 21.96 Conservative Party (UK) Bill Wyatt-Millington 126 17.19 282 38.63 733 28.67 Labour Party (UK) Newport North Conservative Party (UK) Matthew Price 356 42.79 Labour Party (UK) Mary Craven 173 20.79 UK Independence Party Richard Wilkins 168 20.19 Island Independents John Luckett 126 15.14 183 22.24 832 33.62 Conservative Party (UK) Newport South Independent (politician) Shirley Smart 365 51.19 Conservative Party (UK) Roger Dixcey 336 47.12 29 4.14 713 51.19 Independent (politician) Conservative Party (UK) Newport West Conservative Party (UK) Chris Whitehouse 295 43.57 Independent (politician) David Whittaker 184 27.18 UKIP Neville Westlake 179 26.44 111 16.87 667 28.02 Conservative Party (UK) Parkhurst Conservative Party (UK) Richard Hollis 248 36.58 Liberal Democrats (UK) Andrew Garratt 229 33.78 UK Independence Party Barbara Port 153 22.57 Island Independents Andrew Gryffe 44 6.49 19 2.82 678 28.13 Conservative Party (UK) Ryde East Independent (politician) Roger Whitby-Smith 377 38.39 Liberal Democrats (UK) Dave Knowles 348 35.44 Conservative Party (UK) Gary Taylor 249 25.36 29 2.98 982 33.09 Independent (politician) Liberal Democrats (UK) Ryde North East Conservative Party (UK) Wayne Whittle 324 39.66 Island Independents Vince Valvona 191 23.38 Labour Party (UK) Mick Lyons 141 17.26 UK Independence Party Cole Green 137 16.77 Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition Nancy Farrell 23 2.82 133 16.30 817 28.46 Conservative Party (UK) Independent (politician) Ryde North West Island Independents Phil Jordan 390 45.67 Conservative Party (UK) Arthur Taylor 295 34.54 UK Independence Party John Lovell 165 19.32 95 11.18 854 28.41 Island Independents Conservative Party (UK) Ryde South Island Independents Charles Chapman 256 34.22 Labour Party (UK) Deb Gardiner 168 22.46 UKIP Tony Zeid 161 21.52 Conservative Party (UK) Roi Milburn 109 14.57 Independent (politician) Robin Allen 51 6.82 88 11.81 748 23.54 2549 41.19 Island Independents Liberal Democrats (UK) Ryde West Island Independents Ian Stephens 533 63.38 Conservative Party (UK) Philip Warren 151 17.95 Labour Party (UK) Sue Lyons 75 8.92 Liberal Democrats (UK) John Timmons 75 8.92 382 45.80 841 29.22 Island Independents Independent (politician) Sandown North Independent (politician) Bob Blezzard 330 36.22 Conservative Party (UK) Raj Patel 195 21.41 UK Independence Party John Wyatt 161 17.67 Independent (politician) Chris Dupre 99 10.87 135 14.88 911 36.24 Independent (politician) Independent (politician) Sandown South Conservative Party (UK) Ian Ward 389 48.02 UKIP Linda Pitcher 182 22.47 Independent (politician) Cathy Wright 174 21.48 Labour Party (UK) Eric Goacher 63 7.78 207 25.62 810 26.49 Conservative Party (UK) Shanklin Central Island Independents Jon Gilbey 528 50.67 Conservative Party (UK) David Williams 432 41.46 Labour Party (UK) Doreen Armstrong 81 7.77 96 9.22 1042 35.73 Island Independents Conservative Party (UK) Shanklin South Island Independents Richard Priest 629 49.84 Conservative Party (UK) David Pugh 619 49.05 10 0.80 1262 42.31 Island Independents Conservative Party (UK) Totland Island Independents John Howe 420 42.77 Conservative Party (UK) Carol Bryan 303 30.86 UK Independence Party Iain McKie 254 25.87 117 11.98 982 39.28 Island Independents Liberal Democrats (UK) Ventnor East UK Independence Party Graham Perks 412 40.31 Island Independents Chris Welsford 336 32.88 Conservative Party (UK) Tony Marvin 168 16.44 Labour Party (UK) Ed Gouge 106 10.37 76 7.44 982 39.28 UKIP Independent (politician) Ventnor West Island Independents Steve Stubbings 395 34.53 Conservative Party (UK) Susan Scoccia 376 32.87 UK Independence Party Ken Rivers 208 18.18 Labour Party (UK) Stewart Blackmore 161 14.07 19 1.67 1144 45.06 Island Independents Conservative Party (UK) West Wight Conservative Party (UK) Stuart Hutchinson 494 46.43 UK Independence Party Tina George 271 25.47 Island Independents Thomas Rowley 223 20.96 Labour Party (UK) Laraine Pascoe 74 6.95 223 21.00 1064 37.18 Conservative Party (UK) Independent (politician) Whippingham and Osborne Island Independents Julia Hill 646 61.35 Conservative Party (UK) Stephen Hendry 398 37.80 248 23.75 1053 31.62 Island Independents Conservative Party (UK) Wootton Bridge UK Independence Party Daryll Pitcher 608 49.88 Conservative Party (UK) Edward Giles 413 33.47 Liberal Democrats (UK) Henry Adams 100 8.20 Island Independents Peter Whiteman 98 8.04 200 16.47 1219 42.64 UKIP Conservative Party (UK) References Isle of Wight 2013 Category:21st century on the Isle of Wight