Member of Parliament for Isle of Wight East, Joe Robertson, delivered his maiden speech in the House of Commons on Tuesday.
Following parliamentary tradition, Joe paid tribute to his predecessor, Bob Seely, acknowledging his contribution to our nation’s understanding of Russia, Ukraine, and international relations more widely. Joe also acknowledged Andrew Turner’s 16 years of service as a former MP.
In his speech, Joe celebrated the generosity and community spirit of Isle of Wight residents, making special mention of Sally Grylls and her tireless work campaigning for better dementia care and support for family carers, and Kirsty Chapman at Ventnor’s Better Days Café.
Joe went on to talk about the Island’s towns and its visitor economy, referring to Brading Roman Villa, the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary, and the Isle of Wight Steam Railway.
Joe’s speech comes as Island resident Sir Ben Ainslie and his team prepare for their America’s Cup Campaign in a few days’ time. The original race took place in 1851 around the Isle of Wight but Britain has famously never won it.
Joe said:
“I send Sir Ben, Sir Jim and the whole team my sincere best wishes to go and bring back the Cup and return it to the Isle of Wight where it belongs.”
In accordance with the normal custom for maiden speeches, Joe finished by setting out what he hopes to achieve in his time in Parliament, focusing on reforms in health and social care and securing Government intervention on Isle of Wight ferry services. He drew upon his experience as a former employee of Dementia UK, saying the best reform the NHS could have, is dealing with the crisis in social care which would relieve pressures on hospitals.
On ferries, he said that if the Government did not include ferries in its plans for integrated rail and buses, then Isle of Wight residents risk becoming the only UK community entirely reliant on unregulated, foreign-owned, debt-laden companies for essential travel. He concluded that this should not be allowed to happen.
3 points here:
He mentions the islands visitor economy, but fails to mention the dilapidation of Sandown seafront, which is an absolute eye sore for visitors and islanders alike and badly needs redevelopment.
He speaks about what he hopes to achieve in parliament – things his party had 14 years to achieve but they chose to do other things instead.
He speaks about including ferries in an integrated transport system. Isn’t that Tory speak for nationalising them, which would very much be a socialist policy?
The residents and businesses of Sandown should be
Exempt from Business Rates and Council tax charges
until the Island Authorities do something about the
Sad state of Sandown.
I am shocked how dangerous Sandown High Street is.
They have not placed safety fences around the Ocean Hotel
opposite the Co-op store, it is a disaster waiting to happen
if an elderly or young person falls.
Also the old derelict hotel / building opposite Bet fred
is another eyesore that needs safety fencing erected.
Health and Safety on the island seems to be non-existent.
Sandown is Skegness of the south
abd blackpool is in better condition than Sandown.
Pays tribute to bob seeley,for what?
being utterly useless and self serving?
pull your tongue out of seeleys ass,your not a dog are you joe?