Members of the Isle of Wight council have questioned why the Conservative Group leader, Cllr Dave Stewart, has been invited to attend a meeting at the Department of Transport to discuss the future of Island Line trains next Tuesday, 7th September.
Following the debate on Cllr Bloomfield’s (Con) motion at the full council meeting on Wednesday evening (see live coverage here) Cllr Stewart chose not to support the motion, instead abstaining from the vote.
Right person to attend?
Questions are now being asked as to why Cllr Stewart – who originally voted in favour of the line remaining in the franchise at the KILF meeting in August – is still invited to the meeting given his most recent lack of support in urging the DfT in the strongest terms to ensure Island Line remains within the franchise post-2017.
Following the meeting, Cllr Geoff Lumley (Lab) emailed the leader.
He said,
“I picked up last night that there may be a delegation to the Dft soon, that will include Cllr Stewart. Is that the case ?
“If so, I will be urging you to invite another Tory who is signed up to the Council’s position and the position of the clear majority of his group. Ray Bloomfield perhaps!”
Cllr Bacon replied.
“The invite has been extended to myself and DS as leader of the Conservative group.”
Cllr Lumley replied,
“Can you suggest to the wider Conservative Group that someone signed up to a Motion we (almost) universally agreed last night should accompany you to the DfT, so that there is no danger of a confused message?”
Security clearance
Cllr Bacon later replied,
“I agree but the invite (and current security clearance) has been arranged by the DfT for Dave Stewart. The ball is with Dave. I trust that if he does attend he will be reflecting the views of members as I will be.
“To assist the meeting a copy of the motion and an indication of the support for it has been sent to the DfT today.”
Meeting not connected to MP
Cllr Bacon confirmed to OnTheWight, “As I recall we asked for the meeting” and that it “is not connected” to MP, Andrew Turner.
Supporters of Island Line will be hoping that if Cllr Stewart does attend the meeting, that he represents the views of all those who want to see the train line remaining in the franchise.
Conservative group position
Cllr Stewart told OnTheWight,
“I think I can best explain my position by reference to the journey this issue has taken over recent weeks. As you know following a period of public debate on the matter a public meeting was held at Shanklin and I attended this meeting which was organised by KILF. At the conclusion of the meeting I voted in support of keeping the Island line in the franchise as I believe this is the right thing to do. Indeed as mentioned on the night I also ensured the views of the meeting were brought to the early attention of our Island MP Andrew Turner. However there remained for me a number of unanswered questions surrounding the options available and a range of information yet to be gathered which would better inform the options in this matter. For example a report commissioned by the IW Council from Atkins and clarification of the position of the Department for Transport (Dft) which as you know became confusing over the days immediately following the KILF meeting.
“The well presented motion by Conservative Councillor Ray Bloomfield was subject of discussion by the conservative group prior to full council as we sought to gather and share background information. Members were content to take an individual voting position and I decided to exercise my option to abstain from voting at this time for the reasons indicated above. On the evening the overwhelming views of Conservative Group members were clearly in support of the motion and on that basis has become the conservative group position on this matter.
“I am now also aware that much common ground has now emerged between the MP and the KILF group – and so it appears we have ended up with much more of a consensus between members of council the MP and KILF which I hope will be good for the future of Island Line. Nevertheless I remain keen to know the outcome of the Atkins report and we must all take into account the Dft position when it is shared in due course.”
Article edits
The final comment from Jonathan Bacon added (7th Sept). Comment from Cllr Stewart added (8th Sept)
Image: webhamster under CC BY 2.0
