By Isle of Wight Observer
I’m Tony Raffe, the newly-elected councillor for Wootton Bridge, and I’m delighted to have the opportunity to represent this community on the Isle of Wight Council.
I’ve been coming to the Island for more than 30 years, and for the last few years Wootton Bridge has been my home. This is where I intend to stay, and that matters to me – I’m not here as an outsider looking in.
Before standing for election, I spent my career as a professional video editor, eventually running my own post-production company in Soho. It was demanding work – tight deadlines, fierce competition from the global streaming giants, and the constant need to manage budgets carefully and keep a clear head when things got difficult. Those habits don’t leave you, and I intend to bring exactly that mindset to the council chamber.
My priorities are straight forward: better value for council taxpayers, improved transport and infrastructure for Wootton Bridge, and stronger support for older residents and families. I am particularly interested in how technology can make public services smarter and more efficient without simply costing more money.
I won’t be a rubber-stamp councillor. I’ll ask awkward questions, challenge spending that doesn’t stack up, and push back when I think residents are getting a poor deal.
Most importantly, I want to be visible and approachable. If you have a local concern or simply want a conversation, please do get in touch – that’s what I’m here for.