8 May 2026

Thank You

To everyone who voted for what I offered. I’m grateful for the time you gave to it.

Congratulations to those candidates and voters who are happy or satisfied with todays results. I wish the newly elected councillors well and hope they can serve the Island more effectively

Personally, this campaign has taught me a few clear lessons.

Start earlier. There is no substitute for time on the ground. Personal matters effected that aim.

Late in the campaign I found that the county council had been blocking my website on library computers and 2ere untruthful as to why.

Many residents rely on those terminals, and I intend to raise that formally with Council and the Electoral Commission as it is likely a national problem for Independant candidates. Their information sharing during an election should not be restricted in unfairly.

I shall also ask local media to be more careful. Coverage of my campaign by Island reporter Rufus Pickles ( article link below) badly misrepresented what I was offering voters and ignored the conservative candidates photo and the Reform candidates existence. That does a disservice to voters trying to make an informed choice.

Thank you again to everyone who engaged, listened, and voted. This is not the end of the conversation for local Assemblies with trust in politicians on a steady decline into single percentage figures

Nurses have 90% public trust.

Ed Surridge
Isle of Wight, May 8th 2026