Bob Seely MP appeared during Prime Minister’s Question Time on Wednesday to ask the Prime Minister Boris Johnson to make a statement on progress with delivering a better deal for the Isle of Wight, in a bid to ‘right a wrong’ that the Island has faced for over 60 years.
Since his first election as the Island’s MP in 2017, Mr Seely has been seeking a fairer funding formula for the Isle of Wight Council which would include the Government allocating more money to the Island to spend on public services.
Mr Seely tabled a question to the PM asking:
“What recent progress he has made on bringing forward proposals for an island deal for the Isle of Wight; and if he will make a statement?”
Boris Johnson responded by saying:
“I thank my honourable friend who is an excellent champion for the Isle of Wight and I know there is ongoing discussion between the Isle of Wight and the Department for Levelling Up about the unique circumstances of the Island including the discussions about the possibility of a county deal.”
In February 2021 the Government announced it would allocate £50,000 ‘to review the challenges faced by the council, residents and businesses on the Island’. The Island’s MP asked the PM to commit to the findings of the report, by posing the following question:
“Will the Government accept the findings of the independent study that it itself commissioned this summer into a long-term fair funding settlement for the Island, the final calculations of which are due imminently, and in doing so will he help me to right a wrong which has been ongoing now for the Island, for my constituents, for some six decades?”
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Responding to Mr Seely’s supplementary question in the Commons, Mr Johnson said:
“It is not easy to breakdown the costs that apply to the service delivery on the Island, but I know the department is carefully considering the details of the study he mentions and I’m sure the relevant minister will keep him updated.”
Speaking afterwards, Mr Seely said:
“Today I reminded the Prime Minister of the need for a better deal for the Isle of Wight as part of my ongoing campaign. I am pleased that the Prime Minister acknowledges our unique circumstances, and I will continue my talks with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities about the findings of the study commissioned by the Government.
“The Prime Minister knows, because I have told him, this deal is important to the Island.
“I am pleased to say that in many areas we are already getting a better deal. We have already secured millions for our railway, we have capital investment in our hospital, and we have money to secure jobs and upgrade the public realm in East Cowes, but there is always more to do.
“We need a better deal for our public services which includes both our council and our uniquely small hospital. The recognition of our unique circumstances needs to be backed up with financial investment.”
Well done Bob ….May be have a word with Boris when you go to one of his many parties
I hear he serves a very good Sausage roll …!!!
Well, as ‘highpark harry brought food into the discussion, I will use a food related metaphor. This whole thing about parties, or non parties at number 10 is a storm in a teacup.
Fix the ferries Bob, prove you’re not on the pay roll.
Let’s have a poll, new trains or NHS Dentists!
“our uniquely small hospital” Which has seen cut after cut, The front line staff all working through all the lockdowns, while Bob enjoyed half a sausage in Seaview at that infamous BBQ, I’m surprised he wasn’t at any Downing St. parties to be honest. Did he complain either at the tier 1 to tier 4 fiasco that happened here overnight, nope. He won’t sort out anything useful for us at all. Bungling Bob strikes again. Is Bob exempt from wearing a mask to in Parliment, some ridiculous excuse like most of them I suppose. Oh I get so stressed in a visor even. Never mind wear your little “exemption” badge and feel self righteous.
When the silly people of the island realise that the tories have been lying it will be too late, oh wait, it is too late lol
It’s a wonder Bojo didn’t burst out laughing. Here’s a guy putting out the begging bowl whose island that he represents has a county council that has wasted and lost millions for example the floating bridge fiasco. Also over spending council tax money/assets to the tune of £750,000 and rising on a new web site. No I’m not joking – a new web site. You’re right the tory’s Have been lying big time and you ain’t seen nothing yet.