Following the Alex Dyke phone in on IW radio this afternoon, Cllr Melanie Swan got in touch with VentnorBlog to clarify her position …
I am concerned that my call to IW Radio phone-in appeared to have been interpreted as my being in favour of consultations extending for another year. I am appalled by the effects of the current consultation on everyone, its inadequacies and the haste with which it is being conducted. I have had a number of emails asking for a referendum. The point I wished to make is that the Conservative Party has an appropriate opportunity to offer voters a new choice in their next Manifesto choice. I sent the following email to IW Radio which I hope will address any misunderstanding:-
I would like to clarify that I am as concerned as Patrick (Joyce) about the effect of the current consultation, which follows the previous one and the 4S consultations before the last election. I would not advocate a further year of consultation. However, if the current system is reviewed, and the Conservative Party wishes to adopt a new position, the time to present it to the electorate is before the next election so that people have a reasonable opportunity to make their views known .
