Reform UK has announced that Sarah Morris and Ian Pickering will be the candidates for the Isle of Wight East and Isle of Wight West constituencies at the next General Election. The Isle of Wight has now been divided into 2 constituencies which means it will be represented by 2 Members of Parliament after the next General Election, whenever that may be (no later than January 2025). It’s said that Sarah and Ian are both committed to making the Isle of Wight a Reform UK stronghold. Sarah is a mother-of-2 and has lived on the Isle of Wight her entire life. She regularly takes part in charity runs, walks and fundraising events that support Island charities and works as a property landlord. Sarah says:
“I believe we need something new, and that other Islanders want change too. I am extremely frustrated and disappointed with what we currently have on offer, and so I have to try and make a difference. “We, as taxpayers, deserve a system that puts us first. A government free from corruption and cronyism. We need to stop our money from being wasted and given out in questionable contracts. Most of those who currently run the country, and indeed those in opposition, have no idea what we are facing now and in the coming years. Price hikes on food, energy, and mortgage rates, alongside possible food shortages and power cuts. We need ordinary people with common sense speaking up for us. “A lot of families are on or very close to the breadline, and it absolutely wouldn’t be this way if the country was actually being run for us. We need innovative ideas to deal with the many costs of lockdown, be it financial, the toll taken on our health system, or the impact on our children’s education. Reform UK has a solid plan that includes all the issues that need to be fixed. “The political class has been playing games with our lives. Their bad decisions never affect them. I am proud to be British, but we’ve lost focus and control. We need to reform the systems and get back to ones that work for us…Rebuild a country that we can be proud of, one we can be proud to pass down to future generations”.
Ian, who lives in Freshwater and will be vying to represent the Isle of Wight West area, is a retired teacher who specialised in working with children with special educational needs. He is a volunteer at the National Coastwatch Institution. Ian has said:
“I believe that successive governments have placed too much emphasis on education to degree level. Encouraging and training young people to become the skilled men and women of the future will not only equip them to build a career for life but also help the country find the builders and engineers needed to solve the housing shortage we now face, as well as developing and growing our manufacturing capability as new technologies emerge.
“I advocate a ban on any foreign fishing vessels entering British waters so that the pressure on fish stocks is reduced. Rigorous scientific studies of stock levels and maturity should determine the size of the annual commercial harvest to ensure a healthy, growing population of fish for the future. I am passionate about beach and small boat angling.
“This country emits a tiny proportion of global CO₂ produced each year and we as a nation should not face the huge financial cost of trying to solve a problem we can have little influence over. Net zero must stop as we will remain reliant on fossil fuels until real solutions for domestic, commercial, and transport energy needs can be developed. The number of people entering this country as economic migrants is out of control but the small boat crossings from France can be stopped immediately and legally. Those already here should be assessed quickly and efficiently regarding their right to enter, and either returned to their home country or allowed to stay, if appropriate, as the burden on housing, health services, education, and the benefits system is overwhelming this country. A points system should be introduced to allow and welcome qualified individuals, who will benefit the UK, to enter the country and apply for leave to remain.
“I think government should plan for the long term, not for re-election. Fully separating ourselves, and Northern Ireland, from the EU and leaving the ECHR will give us that opportunity”.
