GENERAL ELECTION: MEET THE CANDIDATES: MICHAEL LILLEY AND NICK STUART – LIBERAL DEMOCRATS

Island Echo has spoken with Liberal Democrat candidates Nick Stuart (Isle of Wight West) and Michael Lilley (Isle of Wight East) to ask why Island voters should trust them with their votes in the General Election on 4th July… This is the first article in a series interviewing candidates in the run-up to 4th July. Keep an eye out each day for a new interview with candidates standing in both Isle of Wight East and Isle of Wight West. The Isle of Wight has had a long history of voting for the Liberals having previously been represented by Godfrey Baring (1906), Sir Edgar Chatfield-Clarke (1922), John Seely (1923), Stephen Ross (1974), and Peter Brand (1997). In the last General Election (2019), no Liberal Democrat stood due to a pact with the Green Party to oppose Brexit. Michael Lilley is contesting Isle of Wight East for the Liberal Democrats. Michael was born in Bedford, like former Liberal MP Steve Ross. He moved to the Isle of Wight aged 10 when he became a student at Bembridge School. He left the Island aged 17 to find work and returned in 2013 to look after his father. Michael is 67 years old. He has spent most of his life working as a mental health professional. In 2016, he became a Ryde Town Councillor and was elected to Isle of Wight County Council the following year. His favourite place on the Island is Appley Beach.

What do you love about Island life and what do you do to relax? I love the beauty of the Island and its people. A sunny day here is magical. Simple things appeal to me, such as nature and the environment. I’m a keen gardener and like walking the dog and family meals. If your party didn’t exist who would be getting your vote? Plaid Cymru if I lived in Wales because they are really community minded. I wouldn’t vote Tory or Labour because I’m neither left nor right. Why have you decided to stand for MP? The Lib Dems have produced 2 good MPs for the Island: Steve Ross and Peter Brand. I’d like to follow in their footsteps. I want to be a listening MP that is aware of the needs of the community. Why did you join your party? I joined the party because I believe it is sensible and caring. We have heart. What do you think is the biggest concern facing the Island and its residents? The ferries. The cost of travel – especially for people who are ill and young people going to university – is double that for mainlanders going from A to B. The ferries create inequality for Islanders. Some of the poorest people on the South Coast live here. The average wage is £75 less than on the mainland. Why should Island Echo readers put their faith in Nick Stuart and the Lib Dems on Polling Day? As a Lib Dem councillor, I have a track record. In 4 years as Mayor of Ryde, I have helped transform the town, attracting £40 million in investment. I believe I can do the same for the whole constituency. We are the only party with a history of beating the Conservatives here – a party thast have been dreadful both for the country and the Island. Finally, would the Liberal Democrats attempt to reverse Brexit? I would like us to be closer to Europe, but I don’t believe rejoining to be realistic. Maybe it is a dream More than ever, we need peace in the world.

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Nick Stuart is contesting Isle of Wight West for the Liberal Democrats. Nick was born in Leeds and grew up in South London. He studied botany at Nottingham University before working for the Civil Service, rising to Head of Science and Innovation where he promoted the United Kingdom abroad. He has also written software for Plessey and taught science at Medina College. He is currently a fencing teacher. Nick is 64 years old and moved to the Isle of Wight 20 years ago, living in Brighstone for the past 9 years. His wife Sarah is an Islander. His favourite spot on the Island is the ancient woodland around Calbourne.

What do you love about Island life and what do you do to relax? I love the landscape, people, community and the sense of feeling at home. In my free time, I walk, garden and read (history, science fiction and natural history). I enjoy fencing and have fenced in international open competitions. If your party didn’t exist who would be getting your vote? Nobody – I haven’t thought about this. I think I would make my mind up at the last moment based on who I thought was the best person. I don’t care who people vote for as long as they vote. Why have you decided to stand for MP? I was disgusted at the lies put out during the Brexit campaign. As head of Science and Innovation UK, I was horrified at the damage leaving the EU would cause. However, if people decided to leave based on factual inaccuracies, then you have to accept this. But the worst is yet to come. Why did you join your party? It was the best fit for me. I believe in fairness, equality and pragmatism (making policies work with the resources that we have). What do you think is the biggest concern facing the Island and its residents? The NHS and the ferries. The ferries affect everything we do. My son cannot afford to come to the Island because of the cost. Why should Island Echo readers put their faith in Nick Stuart and the Lib Dems on Polling Day? Because it’s either ourselves or the Tories. We’re coming back. The Island is a liberal place. Labour have never had an MP here. Finally, would the Liberal Democrats attempt to reverse Brexit? I want a stronger relationship with Europe, but we won’t rejoin the EU because Europeans no longer trust us. We can’t go backwards; we must go forwards.