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 David Allen, Ventnor. Ed
Act in haste, repent at leisure?
I hope that the councillors who voted to jump on the fast track Devolution Pathway Programme (DPP) had their fingers, and everything else, crossed tightly.
Their direction of travel is towards a proposed Combined Authority (CA) headed by a Mayor, comprised of the Councils of Hampshire, Portsmouth, Southampton and the Isle of Wight.
‘We mustn’t get left behind. The Island will probably be better off. The early bird catches the worm,’ they say. At least the bird knows what it’s getting!
No examples to follow
There is no example of devolution that includes a small island, with its inherent exceptional needs and less than 10% of the population of its CA, from which to assess the potential pros and cons.
Is this the best form of devolution for our Island? Maybe … but maybe not. We just don’t know.
We need time
We need time for public consultation and scrutiny of the information available in order to find the best-fit devolution model for the Isle of Wight. Devolution is going to happen, whether we like it or not. Government has said so.
Joe Robertson MP has launched a survey to hear Islanders’ views. Have your say by completing it online.
Fact-tracked negotiations?
The Government is due to inform us on 31st January whether the Isle of Wight has been accepted on the DPP, thereby losing our democratic right to vote in local elections in May.
Disillusioned by the lack of consultation and democracy in this whole process? Please sign and share the petition ‘Save our vote! Isle of Wight’ on Change.org.
Slow and steady wins the race? On this occasion, our councillors had better buckle up and hold on tight for a fast ride – and hope for the best! It didn’t have to be this way.
