This in from Chris Whitehouse, in his own words. Ed
The Island MP, Andrew Turner, was today elected to the key position of Vice Chairman of the new All Party Parliamentary Group for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight at its inaugural meeting in the Palace of Westminster.
Southern Powerhouse
The Group will be a voice for local communities and councils across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight as part of the area’s devolution bid. It brings together MPs from every parliamentary constituency covered by the area to coordinate their action and share information.
Speaking today Andrew Turner said:
“The new All-Party Parliamentary Group will be an effective forum for discussion and vehicle for action to help drive forward the devolution bid that aims to bring more powers to the participating local authorities in Hampshire and on the Island.
“We decided today that we have some very clear priorities for investment in built and digital infrastructure, police and fire services, the NHS, boosting our local economy and on planning and housing. I was flattered to be nominated and unanimously elected by my Parliamentary colleagues and will be working hard with them to ensure that our own voice is heard loud and clear in Westminster and Whitehall.”
The photograph shows Island MP, Andrew Turner, with the Chairman of the Group, Ranil Jayawardena MP (Conservative, North East Hampshire), and with Cllr Chris Whitehouse (Conservative, Newport West Ward) who attended the inaugural meeting with Mr Turner.
Whitehouse: “An excellent and worthwhile project”
Cllr Whitehouse today added:
“This new Parliamentary Group is an excellent and worthwhile project. What we absolutely have to guard against is anything that risks the Island’s own identity and interests being subsumed beneath those of the mainland authorities that are part of the Group. Securing Andrew’s election as a Vice Chairman will help guard against that risk as he will be at the heart of its decision-making in future. I was privileged to attend this inaugural meeting to represent the Island community at Andrew’s invitation and hope to be able to support him in future in the additional work he has taken on by becoming an officer of the Group.”
