Joe Robertson, MP for Isle of Wight East, has slammed the Government’s consultation about a combined mayor authority for Hampshire and Isle of Wight as “a shambles” and “an insult to Islanders”.
Published last week, the Government is seeking views on its proposal to create a combined mayor authority for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight with a directly elected Mayor.
Joe has been a critic of the devolution proposals since they were announced in December, and he says that his worst fears are being realised in the Government’s own consultation papers.
Speaking after the consultation went online, the East Wight MP said:
“The Isle of Wight won’t appear in the name of the new Combined Authority which will be called ‘Hampshire and Solent’.
"The so-called consultation doesn’t even ask whether residents are happy about this or whether we actually want a Mayor at all. It is an insult to Islanders.”
He went on to say:
“The Mayor will have responsibility for local transport and improving connectivity for the whole area.
"The proposals talk extensively about buses, trains and roads but don’t mention ferries at all in over 1,000 words written about improving connectivity.
"Ferries are the biggest transport issue on the Island and the Island is connected to nowhere without them. Devolution is an off-the-shelf proposal for mainland England which will not cater for our unique circumstances as an Island at all.”
Mr Robertson is also concerned that the consultation will not capture and publish Islanders’ views distinct from the mainland.
“When residents complete the survey, we are asked to enter the first three digits of our postcode, which for everyone on the Island is PO3. But PO3 is a postcode on Portsea Island in Portsmouth, so our responses will be lumped in with the City.
“The consultation is a complete shambles, and we won’t even be able to tell how Islanders are actually responding.
“That is why I have launched my own survey at www.combinedmayor.co.uk to ask the questions we actually want to answer like, do we want a mainland-based Mayor at all?
"I urge residents to complete my own survey along with the Government’s so-called ‘consultation’ where they can register disagreement that the Mayor will somehow be a good thing.”
More Than 70 Driving Offences Dealt With Over Two Days On Isle Of Wight Roads
Wightlink Technical Problems Lead To Cancellation Of All Fishbourne-Portsmouth Crossings
Contentious Plans For New 7,245 Square Metre Commercial Park Appealed
Wightlink Crossings Cancelled Due To Engine Issues
Four New Flats Could Be Built On Island Town's Leafy Residential Road
AI Intelligence Reducing Waiting List For Cataract Surgeries On Isle Of Wight
National Lottery Heritage Fund Awards Blackwater's Naturezones £72,400
Eight New Electric Vehicle Charging Bays To Be Built In Ryde
Councillors And Residents Accuse Developer Of Breaching Planning Condition
Emergency Crews Called To Blackgang To Tackle Fire In Open
Contentious Plans For New 7,245 Square Metre Commercial Park Appealed
Island Parish Council With "Dreadful Reputation" Descends Into Shouting Match Over Clerk Resignation
Emergency Services In Rescue Of Casualty In Water Near Ryde Pier
Motion 'To Gain Full Backing' For Isle Of Wight Farmers Tabled By Chale, Niton And Shorwell Councillor
Sale Of Former Yarmouth CE Primary School Site Moves Step Closer
Cowes Supermarket To Have 272 Rooftop Solar Panels Installed
Bid Made To Convert And Replace Island Village Tea Rooms
Cowes RNLI Lifeboat Assists In Catamaran Rescue
Crash Causes Structural Damage To Sandown Community Building
'Parenting Course' Flats Refused By Council - As Tenants Allowed To Stay For Now
