IT'S fifth time lucky for a Liberal Democrat, Cllr Nick Stuart, as he secures a landslide victory in Brighstone, Calbourne and Shalfleet, winning a seat on the Isle of Wight Council.

Top of the by-election poll last night (Thursday), he gained more than 50 per cent of the vote - and finished nearly 290 votes ahead of Conservative candidate Carol Bryan.

The seat was previously held by the Conservatives since 2011, and Brighstone itself has been blue since 2005.

The by-election followed the resignation of a senior Tory.

Isle of Wight County Press:

Isle of Wight by-election results for the Brighstone area in full

Doug Alldred, The Green Party - 153 votes

Carol Bryan, Local Conservatives - 239 votes

Gary Clarke, Labour Party - 31 votes

Stephen J. Parkes, Vectis Party - 36 votes

Nick Stuart, Liberal Democrat - 526 votes

Speaking after his win, Cllr Stuart said he was very pleased.

He said: "It has been a long time coming. I have stood four times previously, unsuccessfully.

"The critical thing is to listen to voters, understand what the issues are and put that forward, with the values we hold."

He added the campaign had been a lot of work by Isle of Wight Liberal Democrats.

He added the result was, at least in part, a message to both the government and the Isle of Wight Council: "Everybody I spoke to, including Conservatives, said, 'I used to vote X but I don't know what to do now.'

"The problem is they have no faith in central government."

Cllr Stuart also said County Hall's leading Alliance administration was trying hard and moving in the right direction but, it was felt, not fast enough.

Concerns raised with him in the run-up to the election campaign had included speeding, over-development, seweage and drainage.

He did not rule out the possibility of joining the Alliance, but said it would be subject to a discussion with fellow Liberal Democrat, Cllr Andrew Garratt.

Cllr Garratt said he felt absolutely elated.

He called Cllr Stuart a magnificent candidate, really embedded in the community and noted his hard work with the two parish councils in the ward — Brighstone Parish Council and Calbourne, Newtown and Porchfield Parish Council.

He said ensuring Islanders are supported through the cost of living crisis would be their first priority, along with ensuring a sensible Island Planning Strategy is passed, protecting the council's need to provide affordable properties at a price Islanders can afford to rent or buy.