Joe Robertson MP has said the Island is in a ‘dangerous position’ as the Deputy Prime Minister today (Wednesday) confirmed the breakup or merger of the Isle of Wight Council is on the negotiating table.
It has been announced that the Isle of Wight has been included in Labour’s fast-track plans for devolution, which could potentially change how and where important decisions are made about Island life. It means that May’s local elections have been pushed back until May 2026, as previously reported by Island Echo.
The acceptance of a joint expression of interest in the Government’s devolution priority programme between the Isle of Wight Council, Hampshire County Council, Portsmouth City Council and Southampton City Council marks a pivotal step towards the creation of a new mayoral strategic authority. It aims to transfer power and funding from Whitehall to the Solent and Hampshire region while enabling local councils to collaborate on strategic, region-wide issues.
The mayoral strategic authority will not replace local councils but rather work closely with local authorities in the region to develop and deliver their plans with most of its focus on responsibilities which are currently held by Whitehall.
However, what exactly this means for the Isle of Wight is up in the air and there are concerns the Isle of Wight will just become an arm of Hampshire, with a minority voice in making vital decisions that impact the lives of Islanders.
Speaking in the House of Commons today, Isle of Wight East MP Joe Robertson asked:
“The Isle of Wight Council is already a unitary authority. Given the Deputy Prime Minister is postponing our elections, can she confirm that means the future reorganisation of the Isle of Wight Council is on the negotiating table? Otherwise, why would she be cancelling our elections?”
In response, Angela Rayner said:
“Just the fact it’s an Island does provide limitations, but of course, nothing has been taken off the table. We want to deliver reorganisation , deliver for the people of the Isle of Wight and we’ll continue to work with him and local leaders to deliver that”.
Joe Robertson MP has this afternoon said:
“We are in a dangerous position, and Island residents are being denied a say. The Isle of Wight Council leader has assured us repeatadly that we are only part of a mayoral discussions, but this is not correct. The very existence of the Isle of Wight Council is now under threat.
“This is no longer just about a shared Mayor with Hampshire but whether we merge our own Council with part of the mainland. The Deputy Prime Minister was very clear that local elections are only being cancelled in places where the local council may cease to exist after the negotiations.
“I am now campaigning to save the Isle of Wight Council and say no to a Hampshire-based Mayor. Island residents will not get a say on 1st May because the Government has cancelled our elections at the request of our Council Leader, but they can complete my survey at www.combinedmayor.co.uk“.
Responding to Angela Rayner’s announcement, Councillor Andrew Garratt, Leader of the Lib Dem group on Isle of Wight Council, has said:
“Devolution means bringing decisions currently taken in the depths of Whitehall much closer to the communities they affect.
“The government’s announcement means we have a historic opportunity to work positively to get changes that truly deal with major Island challenges of the ferries, economy, health and communities.
“However, the government must give us an early and categorical assurance that the Isle of Wight will remain a standalone unitary council – as it has been for thirty years.
“On cross-Solent travel it is vital that devolution comes with powers and oversight on affordability, reliability and frequency.
“The new arrangements must also ensure that the Isle of Wight’s voice is heard as loudly and effectively as any of our mainland neighbours.
“Finally, we are disappointed that this year’s elections will be postponed. Residents have been rightly expecting to have their say on who represents them, particularly in ensuring that devolution truly benefits the Island.”
There is a long way to go before any changes happen… The Government is due to launch a public consultation in the Spring to gather residents’ views on the plans. Any devolution deal would then undergo scrutiny and approval by Isle of Wight councillors.
Councillor Phil Jordan, Leader of the Isle of Wight Council, said:
“Currently, central government and Whitehall departments make some key strategic decisions about policy and funding for the Island and the wider area. Devolution would shift more of these policy-making powers and additional funding to local authorities such as the Isle of Wight Council.
“This change is expected to provide greater local control over vital areas such as major transport infrastructure, and health services, giving residents more power to shape the things that are important to them and ensuring robust local accountability.”
“The devolution proposal is incredibly promising, with the potential to deliver significant advantages to local residents and businesses.
“It offers a unique opportunity to tailor decisions to local needs and priorities. This would enable us to shape our own future while potentially attracting significant funding to improve quality of life and promote business growth.”
Devolution or not!, what say do us Islanders have?!
I want cheaper Ferry fares and a reliable service.
I want cheaper Council tax, I don’t want to pay the
most expensive Green Waste Bin charges in the country
either.
I don’t want to pay to use public toilets, 50p is a con.
I don’t want to pay 24/7 364 days a year parking charges
WHERE ELSE DO YOU HAVE TO PAY A £2 NIGHTLY CHARGE!
Maybe devolution is the answer.
Well said. It can’t get much worse so a change for the better, I’d hope. Visit Sandown, Shanklin and Newport if anyone wants to see the current councils in action.
Just read Liz Earle is wrapping up,
where will the jobs come from for our
children.
The future at present is looking grim.
No it’s not. Liz Earle was part of Boots/Walmart where maximum profit is god. The jobs will come from local firms being given priority contracts over outside/mainland companies. Look up the Preston Model of governance, or how Manchester area runs. That’s devolution and its benefits. Grim here is what it would look like if we allowed Reform to gain traction and sell the IOW to the highest rich bidder. Like Tories on steroids.
Andy Burnham is a great Mayor, the island
could do with such a man running the island.
It worked in Manchester, Preston, Cambridge, Liverpool and 6 more I can’t remember offhand. Their transport runs fine, their council taxes are lower, their local businesses get the council contracts first if their tenders are cost effective. Their people have less unemployment and they have a democratic say in how their community and economy run. I think (without looking) they are all Labour areas. We did have a say. It was before the general election, and that level of actual democracy was why they were voted in.
Andy Burnham is a great Mayor.
I bet Raynor as never heard of the isle of Wight..
Communist witch!!
This is just one big con to stop people voting for who they want , they made a mistake last time but would vote this lot out in a jiffy if given the chance surly there is some way of stopping this crass anomaly .
The Elite want them in power.
All Government politicians report to the same
Davos boss.
We have been thrown into a trap. Jordan and his bandits, thank you Clare C, have taken away our democratic right to decide. Their attitude has always been to treat us as children, even too dumb to have a view…. if Phil between his hectoring and a few pints, really cared about our views he would resign with his bandits now, so by elections could be held…. don’t hold your breadth…..
I prefer Mr P than this lot of Dick’tators
Lol
I agree with you Chris,Jordan, Bacon and mates just want to hang on to power as long as they can by denying the citizens their democratic right to vote. They should all resign I won’t hold my breath as you say. Jordan is leader of the council he is on Ryde Town Council and St Helens parish council and he is hopeless at them all it must make a nice little earner for him. I want my vote. Jordan probably fancies himself as the new mayor imagine that.
Starmers dictatorship rolls on like an out of control truck, How long before we all have to stand and raise a right arm and shout “heil starmer” this government and indeed this council need a good kicking. Only reason we can’t have our rightful election this year is because they know Reform UK will clean up. Starmers lies and deceit are well know, why the hell anyone voted for this bunch of dangerous monkeys is beyond me.
1930’s all over again
All Cllr Jordan can see is money.
All I can see, at best, is, instead of the IWC going cap in hand to the government, the island (whoever our representatives will be – not guaranteed it will be the IWC), will need to go cap in hand to a mayor.
Now, before we get too excited, aka Cllr J, how much more sway, clout, influence, do you think Hampshire, Southampton and Portsmouth will have over said mayor? The ‘special circumstances’ of the IOW will matter little to our mainland neighbours who will all be fighting like rats in a sack for their pet projects . Meanwhile, big Ang and her lot in Westminster will be smiling at not being nothered any longer by us continually asking for money.
Thanks Phil.
Bet his pension pot is bursting at the seams.
Talk up the creek without a paddle. Here is something that will change the Island forever and we the voters are to get no say, no vote and no choice in who will represent our interests
.
This is not democracy, this is not what our forefathers fought for!
Nothing good has come from Labour so far so once they’ve decided what they want to do to us, I hope they have the decency to finally do the right thing?
Something of this magnitude should be put to a referendum!!!
UK is not a Democracy, Democracy is a myth.
Why can’t we up or down tick a comment anymore, Island Echo? Very boring.
My thoughts exactly.
Vile hated useless lieing northern trailer trash..
lying. And what’s wrong with people who live in ‘trailers’? Actually she grew up on a council estate but then you probably have an issue with that too.
Very true, she bought her Council House
but won’t let others buy theirs.
1 rule for one, and 1 rule for others.
She is not 2 Tiers No.2 for nothing.
Lol
We may moan about our council, but we certainly don’t want to be dumped in with a council on the mainland as our needs,being an island, are completely different to those on the mainland. Anyhow what use is a mayor, just another body to be paid for out of our hard earned cash?
A Mainland Council would be a better option
than the Island Numpty’s.
Useless and clueless comes to mind.
We retain our own council, as do each and every council in a devolved area. The difference is that the POLICY decisions, currently in Westminster and that any council of whatever political spectrum have to adhere to (one size fits all) will be allowed to make their own, relative to the problems their local communities face. THAT is what democracy means, it means autonomy, having the ability to choose, not being able to vote again and again depending on which political spin doctor in the area is telling you when they want to put a spanner in the works and grind everything to a halt.. Or not telling you as the case may be. We have been earmarked for early devolution as we already had drawn up plans as to how it could work. And it does in 10 other areas across the UK.
All because no one was going to vote this shower of shit in..and they know it.Will never be in power again after this..
They are a 1 term wonder.
‘Devolve.’ Transfer or delegate (power) to a lower level.If we are forced to merge with Hampshire or part thereof, it is hard to see how this can be termed devolution.
The prospect of being part of the Solent Free Port, with various tax and other advantages should be attractive to most Islanders . More jobs, more business opportunities, having enough heft to sort the ferries out at last. All under one roof.
Best thing since sliced bread.
Would you buy a second hand car from this government
I wouldn’t buy a second hand car from anyone,
too many sharks, especially car dealers.
Majority of car Salesman cannot stand up straight because
they are bent.
New is much cheaper in the long run
Lol
Ever time that Raynor trash opens it common mouth I cringe, have you noticed where she plans to build build build & it’s not oop north. Why has island echo stopped us voting up & down ??? What’s the point in having it if we can’t use it ??
Your comments should be able to stand alone without you looking around to see how many more agree with you? For example, had you noticed that only the Daily Express and then the Mail said the same about building plans? No other paper picked it up, or TV news. Yet all the readers agree it must be true. It’s not…there are projects going on in Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester and many other areas…but it’s the Southern Tory nimby’s kicking off in spite of the fact there is a definite obvious need for housing.