My name is Martin Bower and I am the Reform UK candidate seeking election as councillor for the
Pan and Barton ward at the elections taking place on 7Th May 2026.
My mother was born on the island and after her marriage in the early 50’s moved to the mainland to
obtain work, housing and raise her family. In the late 70’s with the family grown up she moved back
to the island and lived on Pan Estate. I temporarily lived at the family home until I moved back to
the mainland in 1980 due to my employment and the commute. I started work in 1974 as a
warehouseman and joined the Ministry of Defence in 1975. In 1983 I joined Customs and Excise
and for 18 years worked and lived in various areas across the UK. In 2001 just prior to the
dissolving of the “old” Customs and Excise I resigned and spent the next two years as a bus driver
and HGV driver before joining Royal Mail. I worked as a postman for the next 14 years and after a
short spell working at a supermarket retired in April 2018.
I moved back to the island in 2020 to be closer to friends and relatives and live on the Pan Estate.
Since moving back to the island I have undertaken several voluntary roles and I am currently a
volunteer gardener.
If I am elected as your councillor I will act with honesty and integrity and ensure that the views and
concerns of the residents of Pan and Barton are listened to and acted upon and the community view
is fully represented at Isle of Wight Council.