# 1981 Isle of Wight County Council election

Local elections of 1981 to the Isle of Wight County Council, a county council in south east England, were held on 7 May 1981. The whole council was up for election, with boundary changes since the last election in 1977, which increased the number of seats by one. The election resulted in a council with Liberal members holding more than half of the seats.

## Election result

Isle of Wight County Council election result 1981 :
| Party | Seats | Net gain/loss | Seats % | Votes % | Votes |
| Liberal | 27 | 20 | 62.8 | 50.4% | 22,482 |
| Conservative | 12 | 11 | 27.9 | 34.0% | 15,150 |
| Independent | 4 | 4 | 9.3 | 22.8% | 10,146 |
| Labour | 0 | 1 | 0.0 | 4.7% | 2,081 |
| RA | 0 | 3 | 0.0 | 1.3% | 565 |
| Independent Liberal | 0 | | 0.0 | 1.0% | 465 |
This result had the following consequences for the total number of seats on the council after the elections:
| Party | Party | Previous council | New council |
| | Liberal | 7 | 27 |
| | Conservatives | 23 | 12 |
| | Independent | 8 | 4 |
| | Residents | 3 | 0 |
| | Labour | 1 | 0 |
| Total | Total | 42 | 43 | 43 |
| Working majority | Working majority | 4 | 11 |

## Ward results
### Arreton & Newchurch

Arreton & Newchurch :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | M. Lanfear | 672 | 59.4 | N/A |
| | Conservative | P. Jarrett | 459 | 40.6 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 213 | 18.8 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,131 | 51.9 | |
| | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) |

### Ashey

Ashey :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | G. Wilson | 613 | 57.5 | N/A |
| | Conservative | F. Winter | 374 | 35.1 | N/A |
| | Labour | L. Cuthbert | 80 | 7.5 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 239 | 22.4 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,067 | 53.6 | |
| | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) |

### Bembridge

Bembridge :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | R. Rowsell | 1,064 | 63.3 | 8.1 |
| | Liberal | A. Naylor | 562 | 33.4 | N/A |
| | Labour | S. Sutters | 56 | 3.3 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 502 | 29.9 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,682 | 54.8 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |

### Binstead

Binstead :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | R. Jewitt | 519 | 52.6 | N/A |
| | Liberal | M. Perfitt | 468 | 47.4 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 51 | 5.2 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 987 | 48.2 | |
| | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) |

### Brading

Brading :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Janusz Trzebski | Unopposed | N/A | N/A |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | N/A | |

### Brighstone & Shorwell

Brighstone & Shorwell :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | P. Leyton | 561 | 50.4 | N/A |
| | Conservative | A. Currie | 504 | 45.3 | N/A |
| | Labour | D. White | 48 | 4.3 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 57 | 5.1 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,113 | 63.8 | |
| | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) |

### Calbourne Shalfleet & Yarmouth

Calbourne Shalfleet & Yarmouth :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | S. Laird | 746 | 51.0 | N/A |
| | Liberal | J. Hancock | 717 | 49.0 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 29 | 2.0 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,463 | 53.9 | |
| | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |

### Carisbrooke East

Carisbrooke East :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Stephen Ross | 404 | 71.6 | N/A |
| | Conservative | P. Dobson | 148 | 49.0 | N/A |
| | Labour | R. Jones | 12 | 2.1 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 256 | 22.6 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 564 | 45.4 | |
| | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |

### Carisbrooke West

Carisbrooke West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | J. Kitchington | 902 | 93.9 | N/A |
| | Labour | R. Stringer | 59 | 6.1 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 843 | 87.7 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 961 | 47.2 | |
| | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) |

### Chale & Niton

Chale & Niton :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | P. Fradgley | 682 | 52.6 | N/A |
| | Liberal | D. Waddleton | 575 | 44.4 | N/A |
| | Labour | C. Sullivan | 39 | 3.0 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 107 | 8.2 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,296 | 58.3 | |
| | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |

### Cowes Castle

Cowes Castle :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | C. Carter | 904 | 58.7 | N/A |
| | Conservative | S. Flynn | 635 | 41.3 | 58.7 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 269 | 17.4 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,539 | 52.9 | |
| | Liberal gain from Conservative | Liberal gain from Conservative | Swing | | |

### Cowes Central

Cowes Central :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | D. Lennox | 586 | 52.2 | N/A |
| | Independent | N. Butchers | 481 | 42.8 | 57.2 |
| | Labour | P. Ray | 56 | 5.0 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 105 | 9.4 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,123 | 59.3 | |
| | Liberal gain from Independent | Liberal gain from Independent | Swing | | |

### Cowes Medina

Cowes Medina :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | E. Bird | 815 | 72.3 | N/A |
| | Labour | S. Smith | 170 | 15.1 | 33.6 |
| | Conservative | M. Billington | 142 | 12.6 | 38.7 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 645 | 57.2 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,127 | 56.9 | |
| | Liberal gain from Conservative | Liberal gain from Conservative | Swing | | |

### East Cowes

East Cowes :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Independent | H. Moon | 713 | 61.0 | 8.3 |
| | Independent Liberal | A. Guy | 456 | 39.0 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 257 | 22.0 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,169 | 43.2 | |
| | Independent hold | Independent hold | Swing | | |

### Fairlee

Fairlee :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | P. Breach | 698 | 65.4 | |
| | Conservative | R. Dixon | 332 | 31.1 | 20.0 |
| | Labour | D. Wood | 38 | 3.6 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 366 | 34.3 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,068 | 53.9 | |
| | Liberal gain from Conservative | Liberal gain from Conservative | Swing | | |

### Freshwater Afton

Freshwater Afton :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | E. Le Brecht | 652 | 51.3 | N/A |
| | Liberal | J. Cooper | 619 | 48.7 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 33 | 2.6 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,271 | 61.3 | |
| | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |

### Freshwater Norton

Freshwater Norton :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | A. Parker | 484 | 42.4 | N/A |
| | Liberal | A. Smith | 465 | 40.8 | N/A |
| | Liberal | B. Fitzsimmons | 192 | 16.8 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 19 | 1.6 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,141 | 53.6 | |
| | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |

### Gatcombe & Godshill

Gatcombe & Godshill :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | R. Westmore | 574 | 54.3 | N/A |
| | Liberal | A. Smith | 484 | 45.7 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 90 | 8.6 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,058 | 57.4 | |
| | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |

### Gurnard

Gurnard :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | S. Sutherland | 525 | 53.0 | N/A |
| | Conservative | M. Halpin | 466 | 47.0 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 59 | 6.0 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 991 | 57.4 | |
| | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) |

### Mount Joy

Mount Joy :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | R. Smith | 747 | 55.8 | 8.7 |
| | Conservative | E. Giles | 506 | 37.8 | 15.1 |
| | Labour | C. Wilson | 85 | 6.4 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 241 | 18.0 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,338 | 50.5 | |
| | Liberal gain from Conservative | Liberal gain from Conservative | Swing | | |

### Nettlestone & St. Helens

Nettlestone & St.Helens :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | S. Rains | 796 | 51.3 | N/A |
| | Conservative | L. Hollis | 707 | 45.6 | N/A |
| | Labour | E. Kitchen | 48 | 3.1 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 89 | 5.7 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,551 | 66.5 | |
| | Liberal gain from Independent | Liberal gain from Independent | Swing | | |

### Newport Central

Newport Central :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | R. Rowsell | 791 | 63.5 | 8.0 |
| | Conservative | J. Tungate | 401 | 32.2 | 12.3 |
| | Labour | L. O'Flaherty | 54 | 4.3 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 390 | 31.3 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,246 | 51.0 | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | | |

### Northwood

Northwood :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | B. Drake | 894 | 74.1 | 32.1 |
| | Conservative | J. Powe | 259 | 21.5 | 23.7 |
| | Labour | P. Millar | 53 | 4.4 | 8.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 635 | 52.6 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,206 | 72.5 | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | | |

### Osborne

Osborne :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | J. Augustus | 869 | 69.7 | N/A |
| | Labour | S. Glossop | 377 | 30.3 | 21.3 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 108 | 39.4 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,246 | 49.4 | |
| | Liberal gain from Labour | Liberal gain from Labour | Swing | | |

### Pan

Pan :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | M. Barton | 897 | 67.3 | 18.8 |
| | Labour | A. Beere | 261 | 19.6 | 4.4 |
| | Conservative | A. Jenner | 175 | 13.1 | 14.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 636 | 47.7 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,263 | 56.0 | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | | |

### Parkhurst

Parkhurst :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | B. Pratt | 679 | 66.8 | 13.7 |
| | Conservative | D. Eden | 280 | 27.5 | 19.4 |
| | Labour | A. Jenner | 58 | 5.7 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 399 | 39.3 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,017 | 40.9 | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | | |

### Ryde North East

Ryde North East :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | P. White | 664 | 58.2 | N/A |
| | Conservative | N. Bartholomew | 412 | 36.1 | N/A |
| | Labour | P. Westmore | 64 | 5.6 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 252 | 22.1 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,140 | 45.7 | |
| | Liberal gain from Independent | Liberal gain from Independent | Swing | | |

### Ryde North West

Ryde North West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Independent | E. Minghella | 471 | 51.8 | 4.7 |
| | Conservative | L. Sharp | 438 | 48.2 | 4.7 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 33 | 3.6 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 909 | 39.9 | |
| | Independent gain from Conservative | Independent gain from Conservative | Swing | | |

### Ryde South East

Ryde South East :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | J. Williams | Unopposed | N/A | N/A |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | | |

### Ryde South West

Ryde South West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | M. Robinson | 682 | 61.5 | N/A |
| | Conservative | D. Harley | 321 | 28.9 | 18.1 |
| | Labour | R. Scholes | 106 | 9.6 | 6.8 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 361 | 32.6 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,109 | 47.1 | |
| | Liberal gain from Conservative | Liberal gain from Conservative | Swing | | |

### Sandown Lake

Sandown Lake :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | P. Harris | 775 | 53.4 | N/A |
| | RA | G. Buttle | 565 | 38.9 | N/A |
| | Labour | I. Williams | 111 | 7.6 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 210 | 14.5 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,451 | 44.4 | |
| | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) |

### Sandown North

Sandown North :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Independent | W. Gray | Unopposed | N/A | N/A |
| | Independent hold | Independent hold | Swing | | |

### Sandown South

Sandown South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | P. Davis | 366 | 52.9 | N/A |
| | Conservative | T. Findon | 326 | 47.1 | 18.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 40 | 5.8 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 692 | 48.9 | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | | |

### Seaview & Appley

Seaview & Appley :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | A. Hersey | 805 | 62.8 | N/A |
| | Liberal | R. Hayes | 476 | 37.2 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 329 | 25.6 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,281 | 52.5 | |
| | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) |

### Shanklin Central

Shanklin Central :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | G. Cassidy | 480 | 50.9 | N/A |
| | Conservative | J. Holmes | 463 | 49.1 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 17 | 1.8 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 943 | 41.9 | |
| | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) |

### Shanklin North

Shanklin North :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | H. Howe | 427 | 60.6 | 21.8 |
| | Independent | G. Orchard | 245 | 34.8 | 4.3 |
| | Labour | C. Cotton | 33 | 4.7 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 182 | 25.8 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 705 | 40.6 | |
| | Liberal gain from Independent | Liberal gain from Independent | Swing | | |

### Shanklin South

Shanklin South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | F. Fry | Unopposed | N/A | N/A |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | N/A | |

### St. Lawrence & Lowther

St. Lawrence & Lowther :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | D. Ross | 365 | 37.2 | 31.5 |
| | Liberal | D. Orchard | 349 | 35.5 | N/A |
| | Independent | T. Norton | 268 | 27.3 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 16 | 1.7 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 982 | 63.5 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |

### St. Johns

St. Johns :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | E. Jarman | 533 | 54.0 | N/A |
| | Independent | B. Heath | 311 | 31.5 | N/A |
| | Labour | B. Waters | 81 | 8.2 | N/A |
| | Independent | R. Allen | 62 | 6.3 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 222 | 22.5 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 987 | 39.0 | |
| | Liberal gain from Conservative | Liberal gain from Conservative | Swing | | |

### Totland

Totland :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | T. Cokes | 868 | 78.8 | |
| | Liberal | A. Brewer | 233 | 21.2 | 15.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 635 | 57.6 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,101 | 60.0 | |
| | Conservative gain from RA | Conservative gain from RA | Swing | | |

### Ventnor Central

Ventnor Central :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | P. Graham-Stewart | 878 | 60.3 | 11.8 |
| | Conservative | R. Farthing | 578 | 39.7 | 2.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 300 | 20.6 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,456 | 49.4 | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | | |

### Wootton

Wootton :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | M. Stolworthy | 841 | 64.4 | N/A |
| | Conservative | R. Garbett | 465 | 35.6 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 376 | 28.8 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,306 | 55.5 | |
| | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) |

### Wroxall & Bonchurch

Wroxall & Bonchurch :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | E. Crossley | 437 | 52.8 | 15.8 |
| | Independent | A. Wadsworth | 390 | 47.2 | 15.8 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 47 | 5.6 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 827 | 53.3 | |
| | Liberal gain from Independent | Liberal gain from Independent | Swing | | |