Newly-elected MP for Isle of Wight East, Joe Robertson, has confirmed he isn’t going to stand down as Isle of Wight Councillor for Bembridge.
Even though his diary has suddenly become a lot busier, MP Robertson isn’t going to stand down as a County Councillor for Bembridge, stating that it’s in the interest of the parish not to have a by-election.
Voters have already turned out to the Police and Crime Commissioner Elections on 2nd May and the General Election on 4th July, so, with Local Elections set to be held next year, a by-election between now and then would mean residents of the East Wight village would have to visit the polling stations no less than 4 times in 12 months.
Speaking to Island Echo on the matter, Joe has said:
“I’ve spoken to the chair of Bembridge Parish Council – with whom I have a good working relationship – and agreed that it’s in the interest of Bembridge residents not to have a by-election.
“There’s quite an overlap in terms of the tasks I’ll be undertaking in both roles, but any clashes in the diary will mean that I won’t be able to keep up my high attendance record at council meetings. “I’m confident that I can do the job of Councillor alongside my commitments as a newly-elected MP.”
Mr Robertson has, however, stood down from his 2 committee roles on the Isle of Wight Council.
The Member of Parliament has confirmed that come the Local Elections in May 2025 he will not be standing for re-election.
It is understood that fellow Island MP Richard Quigley will also see out his tenure as councillor for Cowes North, meaning that both MPs will be balancing local and parliamentary commitments for little under a year.
On election night earlier this month, St Helens man Joe received a total of 10,427 votes securing a majority of 3,323 ahead of Reform’s Sarah Morris, who received 7,1o4 votes.
Hes a real inspiration, if Joe can make it out of the ghetto, maybe we can too. :’)
Privately educated Overner. Real representation of Islanders.
Obviously the voters that live on the island thought he was a good representative…..
Or maybe only “true islanders” should be allowed to vote (not sure what a true islander is but it seems to come up a lot in comments, so I’m willing to learn)
Mainland brains is obviously the answer
Robertson is a born, bred and Educated Islander
I understand that he is also quitting his paper round and won’t be doing deliveries for Domino’s any more. A sad day because he was very reliable.
I’m a true islander born here from many generations and I believe we need mainland thinking. Islanders are rude, selfish and have no ambition. Without outside intervention we would still be on horse and cart
Wouldn’t want to put the poor voters through the inconvenience of having to go through another election again……where I might not win. Oh no. Best stick with the £90K salary and a second job. Just doing everyone a big favour really.
Why would he want to win? If he resigned he wouldn’t stand again surely!
But you obviously just want to troll with your Qwerty Keyboard!
Here we go again. The taste for power must be addictive.
Bob Seely MKII in the making. Does he like a good sausage?
Proving exactly what most people knew anyway, that MP’s are not as “Hard working “ as they always quote that they are, for any other full time employee couldn’t physically or mentally be able to do two jobs correctly.
Also they spend hours have business type lunches and other jollies, and seem to have plenty of time to embrace life to the full with their families and friends.
They must have a different time zone to others, or they exaggerate, wonder which it is?
Very sensible decision.
Nothing like taking double salary, grab it while you can son.
Except, of course, Councillors do not get a salary (just allowances).
Very lucrative allowances considering they do not do the work, some minion does.
You clearly have no idea of what you’re talking about.
Good shout Joe, keep the seat warm for Reform . 2/3 years the party in power will have collapsed, the so called Tories will still be trying to be socialist. Tories/labour/liberals/ Green all the same the Uniparty
Reform have more chance undoing a pack of condoms than
gaining power.
Keep dreaming.
With all the Dinghy’s entering Britain on a daily basis,
Reform are less likely to gain power.
Our Dinghy friends will be voting Labour
Lol
Most MPs have 2 or 3 jobs so should not be a problem.
Joe are you thinking about tackling the speeding problem on the
Island.
We need to increase speed not reduce it for god sake. You might as well revert to having horse and cart.
How stupid he cannot possible give his full commitment to both give one up Joe
Gary it means the eastern part of the Island will suffer, in reality
the island only as 1 MP
Richard Quigley
Tories are greedy B’stards, such a shame I thought he
might have been a breath of fresn air.
Well he is giving it up in 10 months, he won’t seek re-election when the full council happen in May 2024.
His argument is why have a by-election in what would be September, when there is an election for the whole council the following May. Since a by-election costs several thousand pounds, it saves money.
The counter-argument is that this is a seat the Tories could lose in a by-election, and that by dropping off committees he’s not giving the people of Bembridge proper representation on the council.