The new leader of the Isle of Wight Council’s opposition Tory group makes his first appearance in a key role tonight … but just who is Cllr Joe Robertson?
In December, the Conservatives announced Cllr Steve Hastings was standing down due to ill health.
He had led them since May, when previous council leader Cllr Dave Stewart fell at the elections.
Nominated as chair of corporate scrutiny committee
The Tories are putting forward Cllr Robertson to take over as chair of the corporate scrutiny committee from Cllr Hastings.
This will be decided at tonight’s (Wednesday) full council meeting.
Grew up on the Island
Cllr Robertson grew up and went to school on the Island, before attending university and law school in London, but has also been involved in Island politics since his days in education.
He was chair of the ‘Conservative Future’, now known as the Young Conservatives, and has since held multiple senior roles within the IW Conservative Association.
Parliamentary aspirations
In 2017, he was nominated to replace former MP Andrew Turner, with whom he did work experience, before ultimately losing out to Bob Seely.
In 2019, Cllr Robertson stood for MP in Erith and Thamesmead, Surrey, coming second to Labour.
Continued as a solicitor
Outside of the political sphere, Cllr Robertson has continued as a solicitor practising in Southampton.
He is now an advisor with a national nursing charity, but was also a former trustee of the Island’s Citizens’ Advice and is a governor at two Island primary schools.
He has also served on St Helens Parish Council, where he was chair for two years.
Settled on the Island
Cllr Robertson is now settled on the Island with his wife and young children and in May, beat Our Island candidate Alasdair Steane to regain Bembridge for the Tories, securing more than half of the votes.
May was not the first time Cllr Robertson stood for the Isle of Wight Council. In 2009 he was unsuccessful in securing one of the then two seats for Bembridge, Brading and St Helens.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
