Just a couple of days after being elected as Conservative MP for the Isle of Wight, Bob Seely, has issued his first official statement.
Since news broke on Friday afternoon that the Conservative Party would be seeking an agreement with the Northern Irish Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) in order to obtain a majority in Parliament, Islanders have been seeking Bob’s view on the issue.
DUP’s views on social policy
Bob issued the following statement on his new Website:
“Over the past 48 hours, I have received contact from several Island constituents concerned about a possible agreement between the Conservatives and the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). These concerns have principally been focused around the DUP’s stance on various social issues.
“I disagree with many of the DUP’s views on social policy. Any arrangement between the Conservatives and DUP would neither affect my view nor voting position on these matters – any more than a formal coalition with the Liberal Democrats in 2010 did not affect the views of many Conservative MPs on issues such as Europe. Furthermore, it is evident from past proposals put forward by the DUP (when a hung parliament was considered likely in 2015) that social policy issues are not their priorities for such negotiations.”
Importance of reaching “a workable arrangement”
He went on to say,
“The UK needs a stable government which can provide leadership to our country at this crucial time, with Brexit negotiations about to start. Only the Conservatives are likely to have the numerical strength in the House of Commons to lead such a government, and I support the efforts being made to reach a workable arrangement. In many respects this is no different to the consideration given by Labour in 2010 regarding the possibility of securing support from the DUP.”
Stability of the province “vital”
Bob finished by saying,
“My principal caution about any arrangement with the DUP is whether this could undermine the efforts of the UK Government to re-establish a power-sharing Executive in Northern Ireland. It is vital for the stability of the province that its devolved government is reactivated as swiftly as possible, and also so Northern Irish residents have the leadership to represent their interests on issues such as cross-border policy.
“I am keen to receive reassurances that any arrangement in the Commons with the DUP would not compromise the UK Government’s role in negotiating with both major political parties in Northern Ireland.
“Any interface with political parties in Northern Ireland – be it the Conservatives with the DUP or Labour with Sinn Fein – needs to be carefully managed in order that stability is maintained and effective devolved government is restored. This is a far bigger priority than any disagreement on social policy which will not have any impact on existing legislation in Great Britain.”
Critchley: Seely “Right to be nervous”
In response to the statement, Labour’s prospective parliamentary candidate, Julian Critchley said,
“I think Bob Seely is right to be nervous about a deal with the DUP, but I fear his party are extremely ill-advised to go blundering into Northern Irish politics in their desperate attempt to cling on to power. This stitch-up with the unpleasant DUP to maintain a minority Tory administration is shameful, even by Theresa May’s standards.
“Mr Seely may well seek assurances that this squalid deal won’t negatively impact on the peace process, but given other Northern Irish parties have already protested, I fear no reassurances can be forthcoming.
“Perhaps the only silver lining here is that such a Faustian Pact cannot last long. Sooner, rather than later, May – or more likely her successor after she is forced out – will have to return to the country.
“The Labour Party will be waiting, both nationally and here on the Isle of Wight, to replace this shoddy and defeated administration.”
Support for LGBT+ rights
When former Isle of Wight MP, Andrew Turner, made his views on homosexuality clear during a Christ the King College Politics lesson, Bob was one of the first Isle of Wight councillors to come out in support of LGBT+ rights.
Over the weekend, many Islanders on social media have expressed their concern at the idea of the Conservative Party getting ‘into bed’ with the DUP – whose record on gay rights, amongst other things, has been described as ‘appalling’.
Article edit
11.40am – Response added from Labour’s Julian Critchley
