East Wight Conservative MP Joe Robertson has announced his residents’ survey about a proposed Mayor for Hampshire and Solent has now passed 1,000 responses. Meanwhile, a 70-strong demonstration including a number of councillors gathered outside County Hall to demand ‘no Mayor without a vote’.
Launched in response to the Council Leader asking the Government to be included on the ‘priority programme’ to create a mayor shared with Hampshire, the MP’s survey asks residents whether they would prefer to stay out of the scheme or negotiate for an Island-only Mayor.
Ferries ‘being ignored’
Mr Robertson has been a vocal critic of the Government’s proposals, saying that the Island is likely to be dominated by Hampshire in a shared mayor arrangement. He says the Island’s priorities are already being ignored as ferries are not mentioned at all in the proposals for creating better local transport connections.
Robertson: The response is so far overwhelming – no Hampshire-based Mayor for the Island
After the demonstration, the East Wight MP said,
“The Government cancelled our May elections at the request of the Council Leader so we will be denied a say on whether we actually want a mayor.
“The possibility of the Isle of Wight Council merging with part of the mainland is also on the table.
“The Government’s so-called ‘consultation’ doesn’t even ask basic questions like are happy that the Isle of Wight will be known as ‘the Solent’ in the new Combined Authority or would we prefer our own Mayor for the Isle of Wight if we are being forced to have one.
“That’s why I launched my survey to ask the questions people actually want to answer. And the response is so far overwhelming – no Hampshire-based Mayor for the Island. That is also what the crowd gathered outside the Council offices were saying on Saturday. The Government and Council Leader must listen.”
Price: Entirely against a Combined Authority with a Mayor
Councillor Matt Price (Fairlee and Whippingham), who was present at the demonstration added,
“I am entirely against a Combined Authority with a Mayor.
“This will only lead to less influence, less power, less money and higher Council Tax.”
Robertson: Residents “want existing politicians to do a better job”
Joe Robertson went on to say,
“Residents are not calling for more politicians like a Mayor, who will cost more money.
“They want existing politicians to do a better job. I am asking all residents to send a strong message to the Government and our Council Leader by completing my survey or write to me at 6 Palmerston Road, Shanklin PO37 6AU.”
News shared by the office of Joe Robertson, in their own words. Ed
