Former Isle of Wight MP, Bob Seely is looking to make a political comeback.

Mr Seely has ‘expressed an interest’ in joining Freshwater Parish Council, with his intention emerging at Tuesday’s monthly meeting.

He was the Conservative MP for the Island from 2017 until last year’s General Election, when he was beaten in Isle of Wight West by Labour’s Richard Quigley. As the sitting MP, Mr Seely had his choice of either seat when the Island was split into two constituencies.

He selected the West Wight seat and lost, while Joe Robertson won the East Wight seat under the Tory banner.

The IW Observer understands Mr Seely has made tentative enquiries to Freshwater Parish Council to see if he can be co-opted onto the council. Freshwater Parish Council chairman, Emma Cox, confirmed: “Mr Seely has expressed an interest and we have gone back to him to ask him for his CV and for more information.

“He has to fill the criteria to be a councillor and then the information would go to the IW Council who would confirm his suitability. We have not been contacted in person by him, as yet, and it will be up to him if he decides to proceed.”

The National Association of Local Councils says a co-opted councillor can be appointed when a casual vacancy has arisen between elections,. They advise that any vacancies should be advertised through local media platforms. The decision to co-opt any individual must be made by the full council.

If Mr Seely does decide to apply, he is likely to have at least one enthusiastic supporter. The vice-chairman is Warren Whyte, the former chairman of the Island’s Conservative Association, who resigned shortly after Mr Seely lost the general election.
Mr Seely rents a house in Mottistone, just within the three-mile limit from the parish boundary to make him eligible. Between 2013 until late 2017, he represented Central Wight (the parishes of Brighstone, Shorwell, Rookley and Chillerton and Gatcombe) on the IW Council.

Long-standing Freshwater Parish Councillor, John Medland, has stepped down from his duties on the parish council, due to ill-health.

Mr Seely was contacted by the IW Observer this week, but said he did not want to talk to the press.