Conservative MP for Isle of Wight East, Joe Robertson, has called on local council leaders to support him in renaming the proposed Combined Mayoral Authority to properly reflect the Isle of Wight’s inclusion in the Solent Devolution Deal.
The Government’s current devolution proposal refers to the new authority as ‘Hampshire and Solent’, despite the Isle of Wight being one of the two counties involved.
Robertson argues this naming choice is “demeaning to the Isle of Wight and its 140,000 residents” and fails to acknowledge the Island’s identity and status.
Letter sent to council leaders
In a letter sent today to the leaders of Hampshire County Council, Portsmouth City Council, Southampton City Council, and Isle of Wight Council, Robertson urges them to jointly press the Government for a name change to ‘Hampshire and Isle of Wight’.
He also revealed that he has tabled an amendment to the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill currently before Parliament, which would require any such Mayoralty covering the Isle of Wight to include the Island’s name.
Name change demanded
Although the name “Hampshire and the Solent” originated from the initial Expression of Interest submitted by the councils, Robertson believes that strong local leadership can help reverse that decision.
Robertson has also raised the issue directly with the responsible minister and written separately to the Government requesting the name change.
Robertson: I believe the Government will do the right thing
Joe Robertson MP says,
“I am respectfully asking council leaders to write to the Government in support of this change.
“With my amendment, cross-party support, and the clear good sense of including the Isle of Wight by name, I believe the Government will do the right thing and give our community equal acknowledgement in any upcoming devolution deal.”
News shared by the office of Joe Robertson, in their own words. Ed
