A letter that could result in an explosive outcome for the Isle of Wight MP has been leaked to OnTheWight.
Penned by former Chairs of the Isle of Wight Conservative Association (IWCA), Mrs Victoria Russell and Mrs Donaleen Ratcliff, the letter to the current Chair, Alan Wells, sets out their serious concerns about the competency and ability of Isle of Wight Conservative MP and nominated candidate in the upcoming election, Andrew Turner.
The “unresolved issues of our MP’s second home expenses” and the announcement of his separation from Miss Carole Dennett are blamed for the “unsettling time for the Conservative Party on the Island” in the last few months and have resulted in “increasing concerns of local Party activists (as well as the public at large)”.
Dennett, MP in all but name
Both former Chairs offer their support to Mr Wells to lead the party in the “right direction for the good of the Island” and ask he receive their advice “in the constructive spirit in which it is intended”.
A history of concern at the “dominant role which Andrew allowed Miss Dennett to assume” is highlighted, adding that she was “considered by all to be the MP in all but name”.
MP asked to reassert himself
According to Mmes Russell and Ratcliff, the MP was repeatedly urged over the years to “reassert himself” by making decisions and judgements himself.
They took a pragmatic approach they say, and “gave Andrew the benefit of the doubt”.
But these former Association Chairs have not been alone in their concerns. According to the leaked letter, Mr Wells had also pressed the MP over the years to “take the helm”.
A sham: “Miss Dennett will always exercise control”
They say it is “abundantly clear (beyond any doubt) that Miss Dennett will always exercise control, undue influence and dominance as long as Andrew is MP”, adding this has been a “long-standing and continual issue over a period of at least ten years”.
They say,
“To continue with this sham, whilst seeking to give the public the impression to the contrary, cannot be sustained with any degree of credibility.”
Disingenuous claims from Miss Dennett
Mmes Russell and Ratcliff say they find it impossible to believe that Carole Dennett has “genuinely relinquished her dominance over Andrew” or that she is “able, willing or inclined” to do so “to any tangible degree”.
Adding the claim that Carole Dennett “has assumed a ‘low key’ role” is “disingenuous at best”.
According to the letter, on the day the media were informed about Miss Dennett’s new ‘low key role’, she was busy emailing the Election Campaign Team with her views on how it should be run, demonstrating, the former Chairs say, that it’s “business as usual”.
Untenable position
The letter concludes that the involvement of Miss Dennett and new her lover (the MP’s transport advisor), Nicholas Finney, “raises serious issues about our MP’s judgement – and ultimately whether he himself is actually exercising the core functions and key decision-making as MP and candidate”.
It suggests that the MP is compromised in his competency and basic ability to function and show leadership and say it’s time for his tenure to come to an end.
“We do not believe that he has the necessary competency, ability or judgement to represent the Island’s interest effectively, not do we believe the IWCA can any longer tolerate the level of control Miss Dennett exercises over him (particularly as they are now trying to give the mislading impression to the contrary).”
New candidate needed
They ask the current Chair to move quickly to get a “new credible and self-assertive candidate” in place and suggest that those close to Andrew allow him to the decision to step down himself, adding it would be the best thing for his health with would be placed under intolerable strain of the campaign ahead.
The Letter
See also round-up article Are the calls for Andrew Turner to go, now too loud to ignore?
Image: Screen grab from parliamentlive.tv coverage of 13 October 2014 debate
