Joe Robertson MP’s residents’ survey about a proposed Mayor for Hampshire and Solent has now passed 1,000 responses, which comes just days after a 70-strong demonstration gathered outside County Hall to demand ‘no Mayor without a vote’.
Launched in response to the Council Leader asking the Government to be included on the ‘priority programme’ to create a mayor shared with Hampshire, the MP’s survey asks residents whether they would prefer to stay out of the scheme or negotiate for an Island-only Mayor.
Mr Robertson has been a vocal critic of the Government’s proposals, saying that the island is likely to be dominated by Hampshire in a shared mayor arrangement. He says the Island’s priorities are already being ignored as ferries are not mentioned at all in the proposals for creating better local transport connections.
After the demonstration, held on Saturday morning, the East Wight MP said:
“The Government cancelled our May elections at the request of the Council Leader so we will be denied a say on whether we actually want a mayor.
“The possibility of the Isle of Wight Council merging with part of the mainland is also on the table.
“The Government’s so-called “consultation” doesn’t even ask basic questions like are happy that the Isle of Wight will be known as “the Solent” in the new Combined Authority or would we prefer our own Mayor for the Isle of Wight if we are being forced to have one.
“That’s why I launched my survey to ask the questions people actually want to answer. And the response is so far overwhelming – no Hampshire-based Mayor for the Island. That is also what the crowd gathered outside the Council offices were saying on Saturday. The Government and Council Leader must listen.”
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Councillor Matt Price (Fairlee and Whippingham), who was present at the demonstration added:
“I am entirely against a Combined Authority with a Mayor. This will only lead to less influence, less power, less money and higher Council Tax.”
Joe Robertson went on to say:
“Residents are not calling for more politicians like a Mayor who will cost more money. They want existing politicians to do a better job.
“I am asking all residents to send a strong message to the Government and our Council Leader by completing my survey at www.combinedmayor.co.uk or write to me at 6 Palmerston Road, Shanklin PO37 6AU.”
Signed and filled in the survey
Why more money for someone we don’t want or need ..look at the little dictator shit london has..
Very true about London, the only good thing
Khan has done was impose strict speeding rules.
On the island there is NO law and order when it comes to
speeding, IW Council are more concerned about motorists
parking a few minutes longer than they should and fine them,
whilst vehicles park on Pavements, Zig Zags and Double Yellow
Lines, and nothing gets done about it.
I want devolution, it will be good for the island,
the future is grim on the island.
It would be less money, fewer levels of power and bureaucracy. And while you’re busy focussing your hatred of one man, you’ve failed to notice that a mayoral region works better than ours does.
”Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the peacemakers for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.” Herman Goering.
Or in this case, region.
I’d be very surprised if more than 5% actually understood what they’d be voting for or against if we took away the tribal hype.
As I said before, ‘happy’ is an emotion. Don’t vote on emotions, vote on facts with evidence you find in places other than Joe Robertson’s mouth.
Retaining the status quo means existing local politicians CAN’T do a better job, as he well knows because central government hold the purse strings and slow down the decisions proposed, burying them under layers of costly bureaucracy.
Devolution would mean that if we, for example, wanted to get rid of the current floaty and have a local company build a proper one, we could. (Yes, it’s in Hampshire’s best interest too.) It would not need a yes/no from central government or be guided towards the contractors they would like. Ask yourselves why they might historically have promoted some firms above others…it’s not rocket science.
THINK. The thing we all have in common is the water between us. It’s in everyone interests to exploit that resource. That means transport, amenities, jobs, housing, education, infrastructure. We on the island can’t do that on our own, we need collaboration and a bigger slice of the pie than we get currently.
If it helps, think of it in terms of doing the lottery. One limited chance or join a syndicate and up your win potential?
Less money available they scream, oh yes, mainly for the councillors gravy train, no more extra payments for responsibilities they do undertake, what ever will they do for thier money.