Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely has said that he will put his hat in the ring and stand for the Isle of Wight West Constituency should the proposed outline for the split of the Island into 2 constituencies be accepted by the Boundary Commission, leaving the East unchallenged.
Currently, the Island is waiting to see if the proposed political split of the Island into 2 constituencies, 1 containing towns like Ryde, Sandown, Shanklin and Ventnor and the other housing those from Cowes, East Cowes, Newport and Freshwater is to be accepted. The decision on the boundaries is due to be put to Parliament in July.
Seely’s announcement is not necessarily a surprise given his close links to the West of the Island and his stint as a councillor in Brighstone. He also lives in the area.
That does leave however a rather interesting situation developing for those attempting to run to represent the Isle of Wight East.
On his decision, Bob Seely said:
“There will be a selection process for two Conservative candidates to stand to be MP, and then clearly an election process in the shape of the next General Election, whenever that will be.
“I will be putting my name forward for the Isle of Wight West constituency.
“Whilst I am disappointed at losing the opportunity to represent all the Island after the next General Election, the new boundaries means that I have to decide which seat I wish to be selected in. I live in Isle of Wight West so that is the natural choice for me.
Article continues below this advertisement “However, I will continue to represent the whole Island in equal measure between now and until the next General Election, and even after then – if I have the honour of being re-selected and re-elected – I will work with the MP for the other constituency to ensure that we together speak up for the Island as a whole, in the same way I have done since 2017 and will continue to do.
“I will stand on my record. I made a promise to Islanders that I would get a better deal for the Island. We’ve got well over £120 million of additional investment in the past 5 years.
“That includes a £48 million investment in the NHS, around £50 million for Island Line and Ryde railway pier, nearly £6 million for a heavy lift ship crane at East Cowes to help Island shipbuilding and £20 million for Isle of Wight College to go from strength to strength.
“I also made sure that the Island was a priority funding area for the Arts Council, we’ve got a roads policing unit back on the Island, and the Government accepted my suggestion that it establish an Island’s Forum to enable UK islands to have single voice with Government.
“In addition, working with the previous Council, we secured the future of shipbuilding on the Island by ensuring that the Council buy the Columbine ‘Union Jack’ building at a price it could afford.
“I want Islanders to have better opportunities and better life chances.
“We’ve managed to deliver a great deal to the Island, but there is always more to do, and if people would like me to keep working hard for the Island, it would be an honour to do so.”
we don’t need another mp on an inflated salary, with all the other associated expenses being claimed – one mp is enough. less government, not more
We love you Bob, you’ll definitely win your seat again with us.
West is best.
Quite agree
Why is the Islands MP wasting his time on chasing Meg and Harry’s removal of titles when he has far more pressing issues on his own doorstep? Crime, Drugs, Housing, Planning nightmares etc etc. I really find this quite depressing. Dear Bob, how about you fix your own area before starting to meddle in royal titles? Leave the big stuff to the big boys and concentrate on your own back yard.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11517543/Now-strip-titles-Tory-MP-leads-calls-Harry-Meghan-lose-royal-status.html
Excellent – thank goodness – as Bob is someone with the perceptiveness to back both ‘Boris’ Johnson, that towering figure of probity and candour, and Liz Truss, who accelerated the trashing of our economy so efficiently – I am reassured that our futures are secure. I am sure he has the ability and wisdom to do the right thing at all times.
…
For heaven’s sake – why on earth does anyone *still* think the Tories have their interests in mind at *any* point? What more do they need to do (wrong) for people to see through their shiny veneers to the malice within?
I think Michael Lilley would be perfect as the East Wight MP – a man of action political nous and integrity
Sadly, also a total cretin – so would be in good company with others in Westminster. That said, I’m not aware of what action Lilley has taken except spending precept payers’ money on vanity projects that have no benefit.
More expenses to pay for, another Home to pay for etc etc
Not needed, the Island already has 1 useless MP,
it does not need another.
Use the money to reduce people’s council taxes.
Bob no thanks the Western Wight don’t want you either, had your chance, failed ! Move on ..
Most likely chasing a title for himself, seems like a bit of a cuckooing. By removing someone else’s title doesn’t make it available for yourself. I reckon you will NEVER be knighted. Sir ‘Bob’ indeed,. Not a chance fella
He has a Title that will remain for life . ” Half Sausage” Seely .
That photo of him…? Cheeky chappy……sic.
Bring back the Lib dems for East wight……imo.
Bob Just give up, resign before you are unelected .. as your track record is appalling..
Ahh but all his Masonic chums in West Wight have probably told him they will back him if he runs…. Well he should bloody run right of The Island and not look back!.
Bob could be in trouble. Contrary to popular belief the West Wight ward is more left-leaning than the East. True it has some wealthy people living in it, but it also has the relatively densely populated deprived areas of Freshwater, Newport (including Pan and Gunville) and East Cowes,
The East has far more of the elderly middle class retirees that are the bread and butter of Tory votership.
Not a chance seely. We don’t want you, we don’t like you. You do nothing but jump on other peoples hard work and claim it as your own. Just please go away and leave the Island alone.
Not everybody in the west wants you seldom seen Seeley, lives in Brighstone? never seen him in the village shop!!
Conservatives are finished.
Labour is finished. Reform UK is the only party that is worth considering
Rishi sunak diverted funds from poorer boroughs to wealthier ones, by his own admission. Now dear uncle Bob is abandoning the east, widely known for its lack of funding and lack of leadership. This stinks, old Bob going west side where they have private gates and local hobbies that’s eye wateringly expensive, yearly yacht cluv events. Yes, typical Bob seely wants the west side because that’s where the money is. Also why are we islanders allowing a split, there’s only 26 miles of land, like in what climate is that a good idea?
Island echo, I copied my last comment, the one which you denied, all I said was the west side is the richer, that’s not breaking the rules is it?
What happened to free speech? Oh yes its denied when talking about people who work for you.
My comments are obviously close to the mark because I’m having my freedom of speech denied…
Yes of course he would choose the wealthier side. I mean he does live there doesn’t he. Wouldnt want old uncle Bob to miss out on cowes week. Is anybody else concerned that 26 miles of land is getting split? There are other places with bigger space having only 1
Yawn, nothig to do with size numnuts, all down to size of population.