There will be a new face at the Isle of Wight Council, after a by-election in Brighstone, Calbourne and Shalfleet saw the Island's Conservatives lose the seat.

Liberal Democrat councillor, Nick Stuart, said, on Thursday night: "It has been a long time coming. The critical thing is to listen to voters, understand what the issues are and put that forward, with the values we hold."

How will the win for the Liberal Democrats affect the standings in County Hall, Newport — the home of the authority? 

Here's what it means...

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​Isle of Wight County Press:

What does Liberal Democrat Cllr Nick Stuart's win mean for the Isle of Wight Council?

The area has been held by the Conservatives since 2011, and Brighstone itself has been Conservative since 2005.

In May 2021's election, the Conservatives won 18 seats, giving it more party members than any other. That did not prove enough to take overall control of the Isle of Wight Council.

Instead, an eighteen-person Alliance Administration was formed - made up of independent councillors, Green Party members and those who stood for the Our Island group.

Buoyed by support from others outside the Alliance, including councillors representing Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Vectis Party, a coalition won control.

In August 2021, Cllr Geoff Brodie resigned from the Alliance, making the Conservatives the largest group at the Isle of Wight Council.

In December 2021, Conservative group leader Steve Hastings stepped back from his leadership role due to ill health. He was succeeded by Cllr Joe Robertson.

In October 2022, Mr Hastings, resigned from the local authority altogether, saying he had become disillusioned with politics, prompting a by-election.

Last night's (Thursday), Cllr Nick Stuart won Brighstone, Calbourne and Shalfleet by a landslide.

Gaining more than half the total vote, he became the Isle of Wight Council's second Liberal Democrat.

It means the Alliance administration and the Conservative Party remain level pegging, with 17 seats each.

Speaking before the election, a spokesperson for the Alliance said they hoped to welcome a candidate who would support them and their work.

Cllr Stuart's fellow Liberal Democrat, Cllr Andrew Garratt, is not part of the Alliance, but he has sided with them many times, when it comes to voting.

Meanwhile, Cllr Stuart has not ruled out joining the Alliance, but said there is a conversation to be had, with Cllr Garratt and possibly, Alliance members.

"Fundamentally," Cllr Stuart said, "I want the council to work with as many councillors as it can.

"A cross-party alliance of any sort is a good way of representing the views of Isle of Wight residents."