Residents in Bembridge will have, over the last few days, received a leaflet through their letterboxes from their Isle of Wight Conservative councillor, Joe Robertson.
Cllr Robertson has aspirations to be the MP for the new East Wight seat in the next General Election and decided to inform residents with a flyer.
Flyer sparks confusion
Several News OnTheWight readers have been in touch to express their confusion over a particular section of the flyer that shows a photo of Joe Robertson alongside the headline ‘Next MP for East Wight’.
Presumption questioned
One reader said,
“The headline is a tad presumptuous wouldn’t you say?”
Another reader said,
“Can’t tell if it’s a poorly edited picture, or if JR is genuinely trying to suggest he WILL be the next MP. Seems a huge presumption!”
Robertson: Ignored the point
News OnTheWight got in touch with Cllr Robertson asking for his response to the confusion over the headline on his flyer .
He didn’t address this, and instead replied with a press release about putting himself forward as a candidate for the East Wight seat.
Robertson: How do you mean confusion?
News OnTheWight wrote back, once again asking for his response to the confusion over his headline.
Cllr Robertson replied,
“How do you mean confusion Sally? I am applying to be the next Conservative candidate and MP as that section on my leaflet says. It invites any Bembridge residents who wish to support me to get in touch.”
Robertson: I don’t understand your point
News OnTheWight pointed out that the headline on his flyer was making a statement of fact about something that was not yet a fact. He replied,
“I don’t understand your point Sally. What fact am I stating that is not a fact? It is a short article about the race for next MP for East Wight “Next MP for East Wight” and that I am putting my name forward to be the next MP. That is very clearly stated.
“There is a picture of Suella Braverman next to the headline. It is very obvious nobody is claiming she will the next MP for the East Wight or is running.”
Joe Robertson’s press release
Below is the press release Cllr Robertson shared with news outlets on the Island.
Cllr Joe Robertson, Leader of the Conservatives on the Isle of Wight Council, has launched his campaign to become his Party’s candidate for the new Isle of Wight East constituency. With Bob Seely re-selected as Conservative candidate for the West Wight it had been widely expected that Cllr Robertson would run for the East.
Confirming his candidacy, Cllr Robertson said, “It is a huge honour to represent residents on the Isle of Wight Council and campaign about the things that matter most to Islanders like affordable housing, local NHS funding and regeneration of our towns. It would be an even greater honour to have the opportunity to champion the East Wight in Parliament and build on the work I have already started.”
Cllr Robertson is an in-house adviser to a national dementia charity having previously worked as a family and children lawyer. He stood for Parliament in 2019 coming a close second in Labour’s traditionally safe heartland of Erith and Thamesmead. He has previously served as a governor of two Island Primary Schools, as a local trustee of Citizens Advice and as President of the Island branch of Campaign to Protect Rural England.
Some familiar names are backing Cllr Robertson including Wayne Whittle, former Cabinet Member for Business and Regeneration on the Isle of Wight Council, and Chris Quirk, Mayor of Shanklin.
Mr Whittle said, “Joe is a local boy. He grew up on the Island and knows what makes the East Wight tick because he is one of us. He would be a serious and hardworking MP in Parliament speaking up for residents and local businesses. The next election will be the toughest in a generation and without Joe standing, the Conservatives may struggle to win.”
Former Government minister, Lord Brabazon of Tara, and dementia campaigner, Lady Grylls, are also backing Cllr Robertson to become the new Conservative candidate and MP.
Article edit
8.55am 17th May 2023 – JR’s press release added
