OnTheWight always welcomes a Letter to the Editor to share with our readers – unsurprisingly they don’t always reflect the views of this publication. If you have something you’d like to share, get in touch and of course, your considered comments are welcome below.
This from Sam Smith (18-years-old), Ventnor. Ed
The Isle of Wight has faced a long history of being undermined and underwritten. As an 18-year-old on the Island, I may not have actively been a part of the movement to help support a singular Island Voice, but it doesn’t take much to understand it.
Last week, the people we vote to represent us at County Hall, whom we entrust the responsibilities of Planning, Education and Social Care, made the correct decision to vote against applying to be considered for a fast track decision for devolution alongside Portsmouth and Southampton.
Forgone conclusions were made
However, in their infinite wisdom, the Alliance-led cabinet charged by the great Phil Jordan have decided to override the decision of our democratically elected councillors.
In the never-ending meeting which took place on Thursday 9th January, I watched on as one by one, the forgone conclusions were made, and the endless self congratulations filled the room, as Hamlet said; “The lady doth protest too much, methinks”.
Who are you doing it for?
Then once they were done with the round table of patting themselves on the back, we came to the worst excuse of all.
“If not for our young, then who are we doing it for.”
Well if I’m honest, I had that question myself. Who are you doing it for?
It most certainly isn’t me and my peers and to use us as an excuse and scapegoat us for this ridiculous decision is absolutely unacceptable.
How on earth can a group of people of an average age of 60 years old understand what young people on this Island actually need? It is despicable that they could even fathom that of the many priorities we have, devolution is what we most want and need!
Disregard and lack of concern towards our democratic process
But it isn’t just the endless patronising that infuriates me, it’s the disregard and lack of concern towards our democratic process. If there is one thing that separates us from order and chaos, it is our right to actively participate in the democratic process.
The Cabinet did not just vote for devolution, they voted to take away our right to vote for another 12 months. This just cannot happen.
It is the right of the public to decide who makes decisions for them
As a newly-elected Town Councillor, I understand that it is the right of the public to decide who makes decisions for them – it seems Phil Jordan and Co. does not!
I’m not sure whether he’s terrified of the repercussions that these elections may bring, or whether he finds Democracy so abhorrent, but what I do know is that this decision is wrong in every way possible.
Give up your allowances
I have one suggestion to Phil Jordan and his cabinet that would prove to us all that he’s not in it for himself, in fact I have a proposal to all Councillors who voted in favour of devolution and as a result delaying our elections:
- If you take away our right to vote, you forfeit your right to take money from us all!
- If I cannot vote in May, you must give up your Basic Allowance and any additional allowances for “special responsibilities”.
- Either you end, in my view, your ploy for a benevolent dictatorship, or you forfeit your salary of more than £28,000 a year – I can think of many better things for that money to be used for!
Why do so few young people engage with politics?
I am certain that Phil Jordan and his cabal of councillors will never do this, and if they want to ask the question of who is it for then they should seriously consider the issue that faces this Island and the rest of this country: Why do so few young people engage with politics?
If to him, removing your democratic right to vote is his idea to increase engagement, then the situation of leadership on this Island is far more dire than I thought.
Prevent any devolution deal from going ahead
The only way to ensure trust in our Councillors, and to protect the Island Voice is to prevent any devolution deal from going ahead and to make sure we can go to polling stations in May.
I urge everyone to sign the petition urging the government and the council to stop this undemocratic farce now.
It is time for a change of leadership
These conversations need to be had, and the very fact that the Alliance-led Cabinet cannot understand why this is a terrible idea simply shows to me it is time for a change of leadership.
I believe they have finally found the line to cross and sprinted further onwards after a very long race of repeated and inconsiderate mistakes.
I pray for the Island if this is where they take us!
Catch up on the latest in relation to the Devolution plans by accessing OnTheWight’s Solent Devolution archive. Ed
