Two days ago, the BBC newsroom got in touch with OnTheWight to get a background on the lay of the electoral land on the Isle of Wight.
The results have been published today (link below) and we’ve boiled down a brief summary of it for you, mostly using their words.
Pugh vs Priest battle
The battle between Richard Priest and David Pugh is the initial focus of the article, with a quote from David labelling as “insulting to the electorate”, the fact that Labour and UKIP decided not to run candidates in the Shanklin South ward, leaving it clear for a a battle between him and Richard.
Richard went on to be quoted that this could be a “watershed election”.
David Pugh goes on to say, “If we don’t get a majority there is no other grouping that will.”
UKIP, Lib Dems and Labour quotes
Rose Lynden-Bell, Chair of UKIP on the Island said there had been a “large increase” in membership since the last election, with many people having joined due to concern over national issues, but members are also worried about Island education, roads and house-building.
Lib Dem leader Reg Barry told the Beeb that the reason that they’re only running seven candidates, after having run the IWC 1989 to 1998, was, “That’s the number of candidates we have available.”
Labour councillor Geoff Lumley, said he expects the Tories to lose their majority because of anger over issues including austerity and education.
Education a key issue to all but Conservatives
In the section about schools, the BBC have written, “The Conservative manifesto highlights two key priorities: “helping island households” and “energising the economy” – but education was raised as a key issue by every non-Conservative candidate spoken to by the BBC.”
