In the first of our interviews with those seeking to represent the Isle of Wight in Parliament in the 2019 General Election, Island Echo went to the East Cowes home of Independent candidate, Karl Love.
Karl was born in Eland, Yorkshire. He first moved to the Isle of Wight in 1992, when he was appointed HIV prevention officer, a job he claimed to have been “pleased to have been made redundant from.” He then worked as a Drugs & Alcohol adviser in Kent, before returning to the Island in 2011.
East Cowes has a special place in Karl’s heart. Karl said:
“I’ve always felt welcome here. People in East Cowes are really special. The community spirit is second to none.”
When asked why he had chosen to stand as MP, Karl said:
“I’m offering a real choice against austerity. This election is not just about the Conservatives. I aim to represent the people of the Isle of Wight to parliament, not talk about party politics. I talk from the heart. I hope to embody the hopes and dreams of young people.
When asked whether he had a realistic chance of becoming MP, Karl simply said:
“If I didn’t believe in what I wanted to do, I wouldn’t stand.”
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When asked what reaction Islanders had had to his candidature, Karl replied:
“I have had a positive response on meagre expenditure. I have faced no hostility whatsoever.”
Brexit
Karl’s views on the vexed subject of Brexit were crystal clear. He said:
“I voted to leave. It’s the duty of the elected member to uphold the referendum result, particularly on the Island where 61.9 per cent voted to leave. The government has failed the people of the country by arguing amongst themselves. The time for fudging is finished.”
Fixed Link
Karl was not so clear on the subject of a fixed link. If elected, he would first want a feasibility study, then hold a referendum. He said:
“A fixed link would change a way of life. There would be more pollution, more second homes. All house prices would go up. Where would this leave young people? What type of Island do we want to live on?”
Other Candidates
A very controversial and outspoken councillor, Karl had some harsh words about others standing. As the election had come at Christmas, he compared the Island race to a “pantomime” and the other candidates to “pantomime characters.” He said:
“Bob Seeley (Conservative) is Widow Twankey, promising the same old, same old. Vix Lowthion (Green), who has claimed that ‘’the world is burning’, is Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz. Richard Quigley (Labour) is the giant in Jack and the beanstalk, promising a pot of gold at the top of the tree.
“Christmas is the season of fantasy, when people promise and expect things that aren;t real. But when the pantomime season has ended, what are the people of the Island going to be left with?”
Karl was particularly scathing towards pro-fixed link independent, Carl Feeney, for, in his view, denigrating his beloved town of East Cowes. Describing Mr Feeney as “a one trick pony” on the
subject of a fixed link, Karl said:
“Mr Feeney cannot insult East Cowes to advance his agenda. He has used the town as a battering ram in his attempt to promote a fixed link.”
On the Greens, Karl accused the party of wasting paper in an attempt to get their candidate elected. He said:
“It takes 30 trees to produce 71,000 leaflets. I have calculated that their election campaign has led to the destruction of a small forest. How does that fit with a green agenda?”
Karl was more charitable to the Labour candidate, Richard Quigley, who he described as being “a nice enough man”. However, Karl believed the Labour party was “living in fantasy land”, expecting everything to be financed by “magic money trees”, and that Richard would be forced to “toe the party line.”
Finally, Karl claimed that the Conservative candidate, Bob Seely, had little to offer Islanders beyond further austerity. He accused Bob of “not reaching for the sky.
Further interviews with candidates for election as Member of Parliament for the Isle of Wight will be published on Island Echo prior to polling day on 12th December 2019. All candidates have been approached to provide an interview.
he sounds like a breath of fresh air!
A well respected local candidate who has done a lot for East Cowes and the Island,good luck karl
Bob Seeley – widow t wanky.
Pot calling the kettle black.
I went to three hustings and Karl Love really came across as genuine and a decent person.
Karl… do you know that East Cowes has always been known as Monkey Town & always will be?? Apart from GKN & Red Funnel, no one would ever go there.. it’s a dump!
Here you go Karl.
Ask the police why they are unable to do anything (ANYTHING) about the woman in the Vauxhall Corsa (FE06 BFN) who parks every day in North Road without tax; insurance;MOT!!! Every day and the police are aware of her, as are DVLA yet no-one does anything ever.
Public services suffering ?? Ask why) when Millions are given up re car tax etc???
Whats the score with that then Karl???
Somewhat misguided with little or no respect for certain groups – claiming mental health has failed – nice…! Nothing good to say about the actual individuals working hard to improve health services and sadly will do little to represent the island as an independent…!