South East · England · 55,406Boundary · 2023

Isle of Wight West

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Created in the 2023 boundary review, replacing Isle of Wight.

Dispatch
Apr 2026

A new constituency created in the 2023 boundary review. Won by Lab in its first election in 2024 by 9.3%. Covers Newport (Isle of Wight), Cowes and East Cowes. Population 70,871, notably older (median age 49 vs 41 nationally). Median income £26K (below average).

Quigley made headlines in July 2025 by breaking with his party on the government's welfare reforms, voting against the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill at Second Reading -- one of Labour's most significant rebellions of this parliament. He sided with the opposition's procedural attempt to block the bill entirely, placing himself among MPs who judged the disability benefit cuts unacceptable. He also deviated from the Labour majority on three assisted dying amendments in June 2025, including votes to close a potential loophole around voluntary stopping of eating and drinking -- suggesting a cautious, safeguard-focused position on end-of-life legislation. Beyond Westminster, his local profile is notably active: he has secured government adoption of a "Mission Coastal" education initiative, won £2.3m in flood defence funding, and led a Westminster Hall debate on Zoe's Law relating to healthcare standards.

At 78% voting participation -- below the Commons average -- Quigley is a 97.1% party-line voter outside his rebel moments. His speeches cluster heavily around the economy, health, and social care, and his stance data shows he is significantly more supportive of disability benefits and tenant rights than the typical Labour MP, while being notably less aligned with pro-business or parliamentary scrutiny positions. His 0% score on lords-scrutiny reflects consistent support for the government overturning Lords amendments.

382
Commons votes
This parliament
£26k
Median income
HMRC · 2024
55.4k
Electorate
2024 GE

One of the oldest constituencies — median age 49.

Current Member of Parliament

Richard Quigley

Richard Quigley

Labour Party

Richard Quigley is the Labour MP for Isle of Wight West, and has been an MP continually since 4 July 2024.

Notable Votes

MPs voted on a 'reasoned amendment' at the Second Reading of the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill — a procedural move by the opposition to block the bill from progressing, signalling rejection of the government's proposed welfare reforms. The bill seeks to make changes to Universal Credit and PIP (Personal Independence Payment) eligibility and assessments.

MP voted YesAgainst party majorityLikely whipped

MPs voted on whether to give the Universal Credit and Personal Independent Payment Bill a Second Reading, allowing it to progress through Parliament. This bill proposes significant changes to the welfare system, including reforms to how disability benefits (PIP) are assessed and restrictions on who qualifies for the health-related component of Universal Credit.

MP voted NoAgainst party majorityLikely whipped

MPs voted on the Third Reading of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill — the final Commons vote on whether to pass the assisted dying legislation in its amended form. Passing Third Reading sends the Bill to the House of Lords.

MP voted NoAgainst party majority

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Voting at a Glance

A new constituency created in the 2023 boundary review. Won by Lab in its first election in 2024 by 9.3%. Covers Newport (Isle of Wight), Cowes and East Cowes. Population 70,871, notably older (median age 49 vs 41 nationally). Median income £26K (below average).

2024 General Election

§ 06This week in Westminster.Live · today’s sittingOrder Paper · refreshed daily

Quigley’s scheduled Commons activity this week — whipped divisions, oral questions, debates — drawn from the House of Commons Order Paper.

§ 07The record, at a glance.398 divisions voted

Two readings of the same data. Issue volume shows where Quigley has cast the most ballots — a proxy for engagement, not direction. Notable votes are the moments where the whip was free or where they broke ranks.

Issue volume
Top issues by total divisions voted · cumulative this Parliament
Taxation
92
Economy
75
Crime & Policing
44
Education
33
Employment
29
Constitution and Democracy
29
Notable votes
Free votes and rebellions — moments the MP’s own judgment matters more than the whip
Universal Credit and Personal Independent Payment Bill: Reasoned Amendment at Second Reading01 Jul 2025
Aye
Universal Credit and Personal Independent Payment Bill: Second Reading01 Jul 2025
No
Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill: Third Reading20 Jun 2025 · free vote
No
§ 08The local picture.19 wards

Constituencies are not uniform. Below — the local council make-up, key facts worth knowing, and the neighbouring seats on either side.

WardCouncillorVotesParty
Brighstone Calbourne ShalfleetNick Stuart526Liberal
Carisbrooke GunvilleJoe Lever387Green Pa
Central RuralSuzie Ellis619Conserva
Chale Niton ShorwellClaire Critchison876Green Pa
Cowes MedinaLora Peacey Wilcox615Independ
Cowes NorthRichard Quigley587Labour P
Cowes South NorthwoodJohn Ulysses Anthony Nicholson502Conserva
Cowes West GurnardPaul Andrew Fuller1,101Independ
East CowesKarl Love809Independ
Fairlee WhippinghamMatthew Price669Conserva
Freshwater North YarmouthPeter Spink644Conserva
Freshwater SouthJohn Cedric Medland625Independ
Population (2021 Census)
70,871
Electorate 55,406 · 2024 register
Median income
£25,900
HMRC SPI 2024
Households renting privately
19.6%
England average 20.0%
Schools
28
19 primary · 4 secondary
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More constituency data is being added, including local issue analysis and historical trends. Learn about our methodology. View data sources & attribution.