Former Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, paid a visit to Ryde today (Friday) where she met local business people and even got behind the bar at Yelfs Hotel. Top of the agenda during today’s visit was the future opportunities for Ryde arising from £20million of investment announced by the Government last September. Mrs Braverman, together with Joe Robertson, the Conservative candidate for Isle of Wight East in the next General Election, met with local residents and heard about the challenges facing Island schools and the slow pace of delivering affordable homes. She also spent some time talking to local businesses at the Royal Victoria Arcade and at Yelfs Hotel, where she was photographed smiling behind the bar. 
Reflecting on the visit, Suella has said:
“It was a pleasure to be back on the Island again and talking to local residents and businesses. “The Island is a unique and special place, no better demonstrated by the number of vibrant independent shops on Union Street in Ryde. “I am delighted at the confidence the Government have shown in Ryde’s future by providing £20 million to invest over the next decade. It is important that local residents, businesses and community groups have a strong voice in deciding how the money is used.”
Looking ahead to the General Election, which is expected later this year, Mrs Braverman has made known her support for local Isle of Wight East candidate, Joe Robertson. Suella has said:
“Bob Seely has been an energetic champion for the Isle of Wight in Parliament. Now that the Island will be dividing into two constituencies, I know Joe would make a fantastic local MP for the East Wight. He has been talking to me about his priorities for better jobs and opportunities for young people but also about the challenges facing health and social care – an area he knows well through his work for a national charity.”
Toby Brading, owner of Yelfs Hotel, has said:
“It was great to see Suella on the Island, listening to residents and businesses face-to-face. We want to bring together the very best ideas for making the Island an even better place to live, work and visit, by investing public money wisely. Together with Joe Robertson, I will be hosting local meetings in the coming months to do help do just that”.
