Last week, Kay Smith, on behalf of Unite the Isle of Wight campaign group, called for Isle of Wight council’s Conservative group leader, Cllr Dave Stewart, to retract a statement made during the council’s recent budget meeting, in which he equated not cutting £3.7m of funding for vital public services as a ‘socialist ideology’.
Cllr Stewart responded to an enquiry from OnTheWight, confirming that he’d be sending a considered reply to Kay, but advised that, “I will not be adding to the statement I made in full council”.
Cllr Stewart: “Socialist ideology”
He told OnTheWight he felt his statement made at full council had been misrepresented and/or misunderstood – something he didn’t detail. As a reminder, here’s what Cllr Stewart had said when addressing the Independent administration,
“You have already identified a further £3.7m worth of savings which you have decided not to implement.
“Some of these may be unacceptable, however if this is based on any ideology of socialist approach that won’t cut it with this government, because that’s not what this country elected them to deliver.”
Support for privatisation of services
Interestingly Cllr Stewart went on to tell OnTheWight he believed the council should be looking a ‘different models of delivery’.
This same idea was mooted by Isle of Wight Conservative MP, Andrew Turner during surgery sessions with members of Unite the Isle of Wight last week and also during a Parliament debate when he said that ‘resources must be shared most fully’ (over a month later OnTheWight still hasn’t received a reply to our query on this).
“Different delivery models”
Cllr Stewart said in his letter,
“I also think that going forward, the council needs to look at different delivery models for services, which could include a range of options, including commissioning, social enterprises, voluntary sector, partnerships and improved income generation through a well-thought through economic development strategy.”
He’s not 100% clear, but this sounds like privatisation of services.
Will not support Unite the Isle of Wight
In addition, Cllr Stewart told OnTheWight he would not be supporting Unite the Isle of Wight’s campaign. He said,
“There is a clear difference between Socialist ideology and Conservatism, which is why I will not be supporting the ‘Unite the Isle of Wight campaign’, which in my view is politically motivated.”
Despite this, Cllr Stewart confirmed that he would be supporting the County Press/IWC ‘Fight for the Wight’ campaign which also seeks to pressure the Government for additional funding for public services.
Devolution not confrontation
Dismissing any form of confrontation, Cllr Stewart finished by saying,
“I do not support confrontation with Government, but believe we must work with Government, as we are doing on the devolution agenda – an approach which I believe is likely to lead to a more positive outcome for the Island than confrontation.”
Image: sarah_c_murray under CC BY 2.0
