An Isle of Wight Councillor is calling for the need for an Isle of Wight Act that gives the Island better recognition, Island status and powers to create a better future.
By nature, small islands are isolated from the rest of the world making travel expensive, says Councillor Michael Lilley, who is highlighting how the cost of travelling across the Solent affects Island residents every day in many ways.
Cllr Lilley, who representing Ryde East, argues that a comprehensive Island Act that covers planning, housing, education, employment and economic development, environment, travel to mainland/ferry costs, borrowing, investment and parity/equality between Island residents and mainland neighbours is the sensible way forward.
A motion will be put forward at the Isle of Wight Council’s Full Council meeting tomorrow (Wednesday) calling on the Council to support starting the work to campaign for new legislation.
Cllr Lilley’s Motion calls on the Isle of Wight Council to recognise the continuing financial economic impact of the physical separation from the UK mainland on Isle of Wight public service as stated by Portsmouth University and the resulting disadvantage to IW residents. He also calls on the Council to pursue legislation that tackles this historic disadvantage through a comprehensive Island Bill/Act that gives Island residents parity with UK mainland counterparts by engaging with its IW MP and IW Representatives in the House of Lords to pursue a private members bill.
Councillor Lilley states:
“I wish on Wednesday 26th February 2020 at IW Council to stand up an address all 40 of IW Councillors not through their political identity but purely as Island residents.
“I wish to share a dream and vision that with perseverance, grit, determination and courage we as a united Island, could develop a substantive Isle of Wight Bill, we could campaign for support in the House of Commons and Lords to get this bill through Parliament, we could win over the Government to support it, see it develop into an Act of Parliament and see the barriers we are facing within our new legislative powers resolved.
Article continues below this advertisement “It is a long road, but we can start this journey to Island Identity and Self-Determination on the 26th February 2020″.
Lilley, who is also the Mayor of Ryde, adds:
“We go from year to year hoping the UK Government recognises IW as an Island and we have unique issues as an Island. We need more than promises.
“We need a long-term solution that can endure changes of Government and Brexit. We need a solution that would empower the Island to take control of its destiny and future. We need a clear Island Identity. We need a New Island Movement of Residents standing for change, equality and social justice. We need an Island campaign. We need specific rights and social justice as residents of an Island divided by the sea from mainland UK. We need legislation. We need an Act of Parliament!”
….and following yesterdays “we need £1m for green issues”, he’s now found another favourite toy to play with….
He is the gift that keeps on giving…..(or taking)….
Well done that man now we just need an additional one that puts island wages on a parr with mainland as well.
Or perhaps a comprehensive bill of rights that actually recognise the importance and self evident rights of every citizen of the united kingdom.