When News OnTheWight asked Isle of Wight Conservative MP, Bob Seely, for his reaction to Boris Johnson’s false slurs against the Leader of the Opposition, Seely replied,
“I strongly suspect much of what has passed for news from Parliament recently matters little to most Islanders”
If the views of those readers who shared their comments on this site, Twitter and Facebook (50 comments) are a reflection of the wider population, it appears the MP may be out of touch with Islanders.
Below we share a sample of the comments, to give Mr Seely a flavour of the feelings of Islanders he represents.
Twitter: Dr Corrine W-D said,
“Dismiss, deny, diminish…”
NOTW: chausettes said,
“Bob is fast proving he is out of touch with the views and opinions of his constituents. This is especially true when it comes to matters of MPs conduct. Even a cursory look at his various social media accounts shows an overwhelming contempt of Bob’s reluctance to (rightly) criticise the PM – whether it be on partygate, or obvious lies spoken in the Commons. Bob cannot legitimately claim his constituents aren’t interested – they patently are asking him to do and say more.”
NOTW: thedocker18 said,
“It’s organised anarchy in Government at the moment as it was in the run up to leaving the EU. Lies Lies and damned Lies. Seely is a bit part player. Not sure why he isn’t asked to join the cabinet, though probably his face just doesn’t fit or is unmotivated.
“If Boris ‘eventually’ is forced to leave over partygate, Seely will be expected to follow suit, if he refuses, he should be pushed.”
Facebook: Lucinda Heikell said,
“He is very wrong.”
Facebook: John Eldridge said,
“If Mr Seely believes that then he is completely out of touch with his constituents. I would ‘strongly suspect’ most do care how their elected leaders behave and more so now than probably ever before. It beggars belief that in most other jobs behaviour that displays a lack of honesty and integrity would lead to dismissal and that ‘Joe public’ is prosecuted for offences. Yet an MP can say publicly ‘I apologise’ or ‘It was an error of judgment’ and that makes it alright in their eyes.”
Facebook: Andrew N said,
“Wrong. Honesty, decency and integrity matters.”
Facebook: Steve Cockett added,
“Actually nothing worries me more than the collapse of the western world into a cesspit of misinformation, conspiracy theory and tabloid mentality slogan based politics.”
NOTW: Jon Idle said,
“So he’s happy to work for a morally bankrupt government and leader because what the government do doesn’t matter. What happens in Westminster doesn’t matter??!! They’re actually supposed to be running the country so actually it DOES matter.”
Facebook: Philip Baldry said,
“I strongly suspect a lot of Islanders do care about what’s happened in Westminster recently Bob. We need a leader we can trust, that has integrity and the country’s best interest at heart. Boris falls very short on every level, and you defend him all the time. Not a good look Bob.”
Facebook: Sarah Bishop had this advice for the MP,
“‘I strongly suspect’ suggests Bob Seely has yet to communicate with his constituents about the corruption and lack of moral standing by his party leadership. MPs have been reporting up and down the country that their constituents are unhappy with Boris. Perhaps Bob should seek a few opinions that he is shielding himself from.”
Twitter: Barbara B said,
“Why would he think that?”
Facebook: Vix Lowthion said,
“What an arrogant…. “
NOTW: brockbadger said,
“Dear Bob, you really ought to get back to the Island and talk to people here – not your Seaview occasional residents but those of us who live here constantly. I suggest this because you appear to be so hopelessly out of touch with the anger and frustration felt by so many about the antics of your leader and your abject failure to deliver anything of real note for the Island. Yours Truly”
Facebook: Steve Packham added.
“He really needs to actually read his emails then! The general public are fuming about this government’s duplicity, corruption and deception.”
NOTW: neilwheel said,
“Unfortunately Bob seems to think all we as Islanders care about is, well, Island issues. What a condescending patronising view Bob.
“I care about integrity, honesty and past records of people delivering their ‘promises’. You’re are foolish if you believe otherwise.”
Facebook: Rosalind Nunn said,
“Then they are deceiving themselves.”
Facebook: Liz Van Wyk said,
“He obviously hasn’t read my emails to him, then!”
Four other people replied, “nor mine”.
Facebook: Ruth Timperley said,
“The Prime Minister’s lack of honesty and integrity should matter to everyone on the Island.”
Twitter: Maria Villa Vine said,
“Is his view of Islanders that he thinks we’re just navel gazing and see no further than the Island’s parameters? We believe in decency, honesty and integrity.”
OTW: nope, never ever said,
“Just how many dead cats, does this government have? Is there a special shop? Do they send out aides with suitcases for resupplies?
“Whilst these diversionary tactics, designed to ‘move the conversation on’ may work on plebs, I not sure anyone here is fooled.
“No, I’m not impressed by the apologists, evaders, obfuscators, and dissemblers who wrap falsehoods in half truths. You come across as stale and clueless, with, ahem deficiencies.
“So a message to our MP, please stop wasting our time & treasure on gaming the attack & defence strategies, and get on with delivering the NET ZERO target for which you and every other conservative MP was elected!!!!”
We looked but couldn’t find any comments supportive of Seely’s assertion that Islanders are not interested in what happens at Westminster.
There are lots more responses you can read by following the links to see views shared on this site, Twitter and Facebook.
