Conservative councillors on the Isle of Wight have revealed who they will be voting for as Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak battle it out to become the next leader of the Conservative Party and the next Prime Minister.
Both candidates recently visited the Isle of Wight with Conservative members invited to hear what Liz and Rishi had to say at events in Shanklin and Newport.
Island Echo was denied the opportunity of interviewing the candidates and attending an event at Wight Shipyard.
All 18 Conservative councillors on the Island have been asked how they will vote. Of those that responded, some are still undecided whilst others have with firm favourites. And 1 has decided not to vote at all…
• Councillor Joe Robertson — leader of the Isle of Wight Council’s Conservative group — Rishi Sunak.
Cllr Robertson said Mr Sunak had shown the resolve and strength of character to take tough decisions for the long-term good, which might be unpopular in the short term.
Citing the furlough scheme and the ability to keep the economy running through Covid, Cllr Robertson said Mr Sunak has the experience, gravitas and intelligence to step up to the job in the toughest of times.
Cllr Robertson said Mr Sunak has also committed to seeing through the fairer funding arrangement for the Island after recognising the challenges of our Island status.
• Councillor Paul Brading — deputy leader — Liz Truss.
Cllr Brading said at the hustings both candidates acknowledge the difficult times we are in but was pleased to hear Ms Truss’ leadership style was around creating an effective team, fully engaged and working together for the good of the country. He said:
“These are views I have always worked to. She also really understands the needs, and challenges of all people, right across the country.
“Finally, she has a good grasp of the unique challenges of the Isle of Wight and pledged to help us tackle these issues.”
• Councillor Michael Beston — Rishi Sunak.
• Councillor Vanessa Churchman — Rishi Sunak.
Cllr Churchman said she thought both candidates did well at their hustings but has decided to vote for Mr Sunak. She said if she was having difficulties with her finances, she would employ an expert, not someone who could/would promise to but not necessarily be able to deliver.
• Councillor Suzie Ellis — Rishi Sunak.
Cllr Ellis said she voted for Mr Sunak as she has concerns about many of Ms Truss’ policies, particularly around the environment and green energy. She said we cannot afford to take backwards steps in these areas.
• Councillor Steve Hastings — Rishi Sunak.
Cllr Hastings said his first choice would have been Penny Mordaunt but after much deliberation, he and his wife have voted for Mr Sunak.
• Councillor Steven Hendry — Rishi Sunak.
• Councillor Martin Oliver — is undecided but leaning towards Liz Truss.
Cllr Oliver said he thinks Ms Truss is more electable to the wider public. Residents have contacted him to have their say, he said, and he feels he should listen to them.
• Councillor Tig Outlaw — will not vote.
He said:
“At a time when the country is so desperate for leadership and vision, I fear neither of the options our parliamentary party have left us with has what it takes to meet the challenges ahead. I have therefore reluctantly decided to abstain.”
• Councillor Gary Peace — is undecided.
• Councillor Peter Spink — is undecided.
• Councillor Ian Ward — Liz Truss.
Cllr Ward said he felt, while both have clear strategies, Ms Truss was more in-tune with the electorate than Mr Sunak. He said:
“I feel Liz is intending to deal with today’s problems, such as price rises, green taxes, power surcharges, pause Net Zero expenditure, etc. to reduce the financial burden upon those struggling now. Liz will tackle inflation after the immediate problems are addressed”
Cllr Ward said Mr Sunak was very convincing, to the point he thought of switching support, but when he spoke to him Mr Sunak said he would cut taxes later, leading Cllr Ward to the conclusion immediate concerns would not be addressed under his leadership.
At least majority see sence, if Huss gets to be priminster this country will become laughing stock of world ( but like me spelling sorry ) and poor very quickly with poor health services and higher crime.
Clearly the UK will ‘have’ to have the most PC choice to keep riots at the lowest level come the Winter of discontent coming, otherwise all electrical and trainer stores will be looted in the Cities.
So obvious who.
Innit?
“She said if she was having difficulties with her finances, she would employ an expert, not someone who could/would promise to but not necessarily be able to deliver.”
Yeah don’t want these over-promisers do you. Now the last chap was the expert’s expert wasn’t he. Never an over-promise crossed his lips.
Gotta love the Tory logic.
Why will Mr Outlaw not vote?
Surely he owes it to his area of Lake?
Choice between a rock and a hard place. Neither candidate is Prime Minister material. Frankly Outlaw is the only one to have the balls to say it.
Except he has done nothing in his term of council office.
So now he’s doing even less?
Brain fart, it’s democracy and a vote for none of the above.
People have died for your right to vote and your right not to vote.
I would choose the one that appears to care a little bit over the one who doesn’t appear to care at all. But maybe I’m just soppy.
who is giving the biggest £hand out will get the vote after all they are MP’S and they are just out to fill there pockets
Who gives a sh!t? They’re both as bad as each other.
Who’s more relatable? The millionaire or the billionaire?
Who’s going to help us? The millionaire or the billionaire?
Who’s got our best interest at heart? The millionaire or the billionaire?
A choice between Richie Rich and Super Karen is no choice at all.
Mainly losers then …………………………………..
Reducing the election of Prime Minister to the level of a silly second-rate game show has already made us a laughing stock around the world.
And if Toxic Tory Truss gets the job, our NHS will be very quickly swallowed up by American corporations. Don’t fall for their devious ‘smoke-and-mirrors’ promises!
out of both of them I would vote for Rishi especially as he understands what a recession is going to mean long term to the people and this country. Truss is just focused on saying the right words to get voted in, her policies do not appear to have much structure on how and when targets so a bit hit and miss for me. I would rather have a better idea of what to expect in the coming years than continual changes to policies and from Truss I sense poor diagnosis and prognosis for the future.
If the Tory Toffs vote for Liz Truss God helps us. After hearing her statement today on the national news, saying she backs the utility companies 100% and profit should not be a ‘dirty word’ you all need your heads testing.
How can this woman be so cruel and so far removed from reality regarding the struggle millions of people are going to have with heating and lighting their homes this winter?
Then on top of the utility bills, the food bill and petrol and diesel prices.
Vote for Rishi, the better of the two without a doubt.
It’s like being asked which out of these two deadly poisons would you prefer to consume
The only reason people become politicians or any level of government is to make lots of money.
Pay them minimum wage then you might get politicians who want to make a difference.
Instead of lining thier own pockets.
Viva la revolution and as Foxy used to say”Power to the people”.
Someone please tell me they get this reference.
Yes, Terry – ‘Citizen Smith’ – a great sitcom!
Plunging neckline and here are my breasts.Vote for me boys.
Bit Benny Hill.
it’s not 1970’s anymore.
Councillor Outlaw could just write, “None of the above.” But in some countries there is either no right to vote or vote for one candidate, so I hope everyone uses their right to vote. Women have died and chained themselves to railings to get the vote. Please, everyone, vote.
You say ‘everyone’, Rupert, but surely it’s only MPs who vote for their Prime Minister?
‘We’ only get to vote for our preferred party in General Elections and councillors in local elections.