The following article is a press release from Reform UK Isle of Wight
Reform Councillors on the Isle of Wight have today (Monday) responded to online criticism regarding their vote against the Southern Water petition at Wednesday’s full Council meeting.
Speaking over the weekend a Reform Isle of Wight Spokesperson said:
“The reason we voted against the Southern Water petition was because it did not go far enough. We firmly believe that the time for more talking and broken promises is over and that voting for the petition of no confidence on Southern Water would have only led to a continuation of that process.”
“We were advised by the monitoring officer that by accepting this petition we could not have the following motions heard or voted on especially the joint motion of Jonathan Bacon and Les Kirkby of Reform.”
“Councillor Les Kirkby on behalf of the Isle of Wight Council will now immediately put in a failure of standards to Ofwat and the other governing bodies to ensure they take immediate action to put an end to the completely unacceptable release of sewage into our coastal waters and rivers.”
Councillor Les Kirkby said:
“No more waiting for meetings about meetings with Southern Water and photo opportunities for Councillors. The residents and businesses of the Island have had enough of endless promises and new ten-year plans only to be let down time and time again. By writing to OFWAT detailing Southern Waters failure to provide a service that falls within acceptable standards for residents we can demand action through the correct channels”
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The petition clearly showed the level of public anger and a was great achievement, but we have to stand up for the 140,000 plus people of the Isle of Wight East, West, North and South.
All councillors were asked to make a joint motion as there were five in total including the petition and that this would enable all the council to work together hold Southern Water to account, however this was declined by councillor Cameron who decided to go her own way rather than work cross party as in our view this is a non-political matter.
We believe this was a missed chance of uniting the council and all the residents of the Isle of Wight to tackle the endemic issues that Southern Water have and show that we can work together as one Council to deliver for residents.
Now that our joint motion has passed, we will be going forward to take on Southern Water and taking the necessary action. If other councillors want to stop us, then the residents of our Island can see clearly who is for the residents and who is out to promote their own political agendas.
Rather than voting for a motion of no confidence Reform Isle of Wight are going to write an angry letter about failed Southern Water. Perhaps in their limited world they have missed the public outcry about rising water bills, hosepipe bans and polluted rivers and beaches. Or perhaps their establishment ideological stance on privatising public services took president over looking after their communities.
Quite right.
Becca’s diary of her first year from May 2025 to now reads:
“Sewage and water quality
I have continued to raise concerns about sewage discharges, tanker activity, warning systems and the impact on Colwell Bay, Totland Bay, the Western Yar and protected habitats”.
It appears as though she has been really busy on her own, but achieved diddly squat.
La plus ca change!