There are two candidates hoping to win the votes of Ryde East residents in the town council by-election on Thursday 10 March.
Isle of Wight Green Party Deputy Leader, Michael Lilley, is Chief Executive of a mental health charity with a base on the Island, leading on innovation and research within a national group of organisations. Michael lives in the Ryde East ward.
Labour Party member Jim Moody has been employed in the private, public, and voluntary sectors and for the past 13 years has lived in Ryde. For six years he was a magistrate (JP) and is a member of Historic Ryde Society and Ryde Social Heritage Group.
Michael Lilley – Green Party
Michael told OnTheWight,
“In the run up to the May 2015 General Election, I was inspired by Vix Lowthion and decided to join the Green Party. Vix enabled me to connect my beliefs and values, which are about getting a balance between the environment and social justice.”
In October last year, Michael along with Vix and Natalie Bennett, national leader of the Green Party, launched the Green Island initiative, a group of local business people and community activists committed to generate investment locally on Green projects.
Michael added,
“As a founder of a successful social enterprise that helps and supports people who have experienced depression and anxiety, I am committed to support other community and social initiatives that tackle the issues local people face.
“There are many talented people on the Island and in Ryde East; they need support and investment to achieve their potential. I hope to help, with over 35 years direct experience of creating jobs and sustainable projects.”
Jim Moody
Jim Moody told OnTheWight,
“We really need a council whose powers are used to the full. One thing this means is applying planning laws without fear or favour: our town must not be a plaything of the powerful or the rich. Defend us against developers!
“We also need a councillor and a council that stand with the people of Ryde against the attacks on our town and this Island by the UK government, which is cutting our facilities by refusing to pass on money taken in tax from Islanders. But we can refuse, too, in our own way. We can refuse to accept the lie of ‘austerity’ and the nonsense that we are ‘all in it together’. We must all demand – electors and representatives alike – that those running this, the 6th richest country in the world, give us what we need.
“National government is also trying to force highly dangerous and polluting ‘fracking’ into the Island – just so fossil fuel companies can make profits while polluting the soil, our drinking water, and the air we breathe. We as individuals, groups, and Ryde Town Council have to take a stand against this wanton destruction of our Island environment.”
He went on to say,
“Ryde East’s councillor must demand that development at Pennyfeathers and Puckpool take into account what local people want. Construction can only be allowed after all questions of schools, shops, roads, and transport infrastructure have been sorted out to our satisfaction.
“Appley Park may have lost amenities over the years, but it is still there to enjoy – and we must protect it from any encroachment. Similarly, all the countryside around Ryde has to be guarded for agricultural use and as a place of enjoyment for we townspeople, whether walking, cycling, or simply admiring the view.
“Our environment is precious. And at street level that means taking residents’ concerns seriously, with agreed traffic and car parking measures; restrictions such as in High Park Road only work if that is what residents want.
“But we also have to take care of the whole of Ryde for the benefit of everyone who lives here. It is my aim to help you make sure that it is safeguarded.”
