Vix Lowthion, the leader of the Isle of Wight Green Party, has today (Tuesday) criticised the Island Conservative party for encouraging second home owners to vote in both island and mainland local elections.
The letter, received this week by registered postal voters on the Island and signed by local Conservative Chairman and Sandown South candidate Ian Ward, stated:
“If you have a home on the Mainland and the Island, you are entitled to a vote in both your Mainland local election as well as here on the island.”
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In response, Vix has said:
“The electoral commission guidelines are clear. You can only register to vote in your local area if you reside at an address in that area; specifically a ‘considerable degree of permanence’ or spending ‘the same amount of time’ at both addresses.
“As I walk the streets of towns and villages in support of excellent Green candidates, I see plenty of empty second homes where I challenge the Island Conservatives to prove the owners are ‘permanent’ residents.
“This letter smacks of desperation and is another example of the Conservative Party seemingly ignoring electoral guidelines in order to win elections.
“I demand that Ian Ward and the Island Conservatives publicly clarify their position, and make a statement to correct their vague and inaccurate interpretation of electoral law.”
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Responding to the criticisms, the Island’s Conservative party’s Chairman has said he is “absolutely confident” of the legality and appropriateness of the letter.
Speaking today, Councillor Ian Ward, says:
“Let me be clear. Having taken advice, I am absolutely confident that my recent letter to those with two homes, one of which is on the Island, was perfectly legal and completely proper. Political parties all around the country write to postal voters in this way. Doubtless some of those who received my letter will be supporters of other parties. It is right that they too should be reminded that they have a right, and arguably a duty to vote in areas where they have a home, pay a second lot of council tax and use local services. What would be more surprising would be if no other party on the Island takes the trouble to contact postal voters to ask for their vote”.
Councillor Dave Stewart, Leader of the Conservatives on the Isle of Wight Council, has said:
“What a storm in a teacup this pretend row is. We’ve got politicians from other parties scrambling to release ridiculous statements simply to grab the oxygen of publicity. Their fake outrage masks the fact that they have simply not bothered to contact those who vote by post. Well, frankly, there’s nothing happening here, move along please. If in doubt, ask the Returning Officer of the Isle of Wight Council.”
