By Isle of Wight Observer
More than 1,300 Islanders have responded to East Wight MP Joe Robertson’s survey about a proposed mayor for the Hampshire and Solent region, including the Isle of Wight.
Meanwhile, on Saturday, a 70-strong demonstration gathered outside County Hall demanding ‘no Mayor without a vote’.
The MP’s survey asks residents whether they would prefer to stay out of the devolution scheme altogether, or negotiate for an Island-only Mayor. Mr Robertson has been a vocal critic of the devolution proposals, as he says that the Island is likely to be dominated by Hampshire in a shared mayor arrangement. He also claims the Island’s priorities are already being ignored as ferries are not mentioned at all in the proposals for creating better local transport connections.
He said: “I am asking people if we should have a mayor for the Isle of Wight if we are forced to have one at all. That’s why I launched my survey to ask the questions people actually want to answer.”
Conservative councillor, Matt Price, who was present at the demonstration said: “I am entirely against a combined authority with a mayor. This will only lead to less influence, less power, less money and higher council tax.”
Mr Robertson added: “The Isle of Wight won’t even 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 we actually want a mayor at all.
“The proposals also 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.”
You can find Mr Robertson’s survey at iw.observer/mayoral-survey and respond to the government’s proposals via iw.observer/devolution-consultation.
All the council leaders involved in the Hampshire and Solent devolution plans have made clear, to the government, that they expect transport powers under devolution to include ferries, and that the Isle of Wight Council should remain separate.
