Members of the Conservative Party on the Isle of Wight have whittled down the number of candidates vying for selection to stand for the new Isle of Wight East constituency from 8, to 4.
Taking to social media this morning (Sunday), Seaview’s Harriet Hadfield confirmed that she is 1 of the 4 people to be shortlisted having secured votes from local members.
Island Echo understands that Joe Robertson from Bembridge, Ian Wellby from Whitwell and Louise Brice, an outsider candidate from Kent, have also been shortlisted.
Each candidate will now be hoping to be selected as the Conservatives’ sole candidate for the all-new Isle of Wight East constituency, with a decision due next Monday (19th June).
When the next general election comes around, the Isle of Wight will no longer be represented by a single MP. Instead, the Island will be split into 2. It’s all part of the Boundary Commission’s plan to even up the size of constituencies across the UK.
It has already been confirmed that Bob Seely has been re-selected as the Conservative candidate for Isle of Wight West but it remains to be seen who will be hoping for your vote in the East, where it is expected Labour, Lib Dems and Greens will all be putting up a fight.
Respected journalist and former Sky News correspondent Harriet Hadfield is understood to have done very well in last night’s selection, but will be facing close competition from the Leader of the Conservatives locally, Joe Robertson, despite his recent appearance on Guido Fawkes.
Both Harriet and Joe actually live in the area they hope to represent. Harriet is a parish councillor for the Nettlestone and Seaview ward, whilst Joe Robertson represents his ward of Bembridge as a county councillor.
Ian Wellby is another final contender for the selection, and is also thought to have done well. He lives outside the boundary on a farm on the outskirts of Whitwell but is the only candidate to have gone to an Island state school.
The 4th candidate shortlisted for the final vote is said to be Louise Brice from Staplehurst in Kent – but little is known about this outsider.
Islanders can expect to go to the polls anytime between now and the deadline of January 2025. A General Election must be called within 5 years of the current Parliament first sitting.
Sadly it seems the Tories are deliberately going to loose the G.E so as to allow Labour to trash the economy fully, so that they, the Tories can ride to the rescue but with a new EU agreement, which will very much resemble to one we had ‘before’ voting to leave.
As the world leaders never wanted the UK out, BUT project fear failed to sway the vote ‘they’ wanted, the ONLY option without destroying their image on maintaining democracy is to flunk the next election and come back years later with such a ‘deal’ imo.
Time will tell.
Think what YOU would do, if you were those many MP’s who never wanted ‘out’ but ‘had’ to carry out the wishes of the plebs.
Very true. Davos W E F Boy Starmer was put in place to ruin the UK.
He works for Blair / the W E F
The Tories have already trashed the economy fully, they’ve been in power for 13 years for goodness sake. Brexit was proposed by a conservative government.
Rubbish it was the UK public who demanded that we leave the UK. That is why we had a referendum to leave.
We left the EU not the UK… the uk public didn’t demand anything. The Tories foolishly thought they could stop the tide of their voters leaving for UKIP by having a referendum they thought would fail. An incredibly reckless idea.
The Conservatives are a ‘busted flush’ – nationally and locally. Best vote for another party. The next GE will see them OUT of government.
Why don’t you stand? You won’t be any more cr.p than the other parties!
Let’s bloody hope so. They haven’t a clue how to successfully run the UK. Yes, you are right, they will not get in at the next G E.
What is that logo all about ?. looks like something from UKIP or that other White Suprematist party .
Turns out it’s the same guys
I hope the electorate actually look at the sleaze, corruption and cronyism at the top of the conservative party before they blindly vote blue.
How very dare you accuse our superiors of such slander! Know your place!
Does not matter who gets in.
All run by the W E F
Bloke from Kent’s got it hands down then
Think these Tory’s have had their day and wrecked everything in the process. Get rid of the vile bits of work
I wonder what Bembridge, Seaview and Whitwell have in common?
Yes you’re right. East Wight is dominated by Ryde, Sandown, Shanklin, and Ventnor. We should have an MP that is going to represent the majority, especially town folk in areas which badly need rejuvenation and investment. I cannot see that any of these Tory candidates have the East Wight towns at the heart of their agenda.
We don’t want any conservative candidates. We have not voted any in.
Your did actually. That is why Bob is still hanging around like a bad smell. Sadly, he was democratically elected.
Why re select popup Bob, ??? Get new blood/energy in to deliver for the IOW real change …& not some wannabe Tory minister !!
Turns out Conservatives don’t want change. The clue is in the name
More money being wasted on Tories which will all be the same as sausage Bob, a waste of space.
Anyone who considers voting Tory after the absolute mess they have made of this country, particularly since 2016 and the Brexit lies, is either extremely wealthy, stupid, or in need of some serious psychological help.
Are you offering your counseling services re the psycho bit/
Just what we need. Another Toron. Get rid of this poisonous self serving Toron party.
I definitely don’t want a bloody Tory representing East Wight. I don’t want a Tory or wouldn’t vote for anyone from that party. EVER!
Who wants or needs a person from Kent running for any party on the Isle of Wight???!!!!
Is the trough big enough for two
One MP isn’t working here so how will another help!?!
Forget serving the people, it’s just another four candidates hoping to climb aboard the gravy train.
A fine brace of outstanding candidates. Personally I’m backing JoBob. He’s been a great addition at the club since he passed the initiation of cleaning the toilets and drinking the beer trays dry.
In the next round they will be seeing which can spit on the most poor and how many police they can remove from duty without us seeing.
All of these words slagging off the Tories but sure as eggs are eggs, the electorate of IoW will undoubtedly vote in both Tory candidates. Guaranteed. Bob got over 56% of the vote last time with Labour second on 24%. No way that will change.