By Carole Dennett
Claims made by Bob Seely that he helped bring funding to the Island are ‘porkie pies’, Cockney rhyming slang for lies, according to Labour councillor, Richard Quigley.
Cllr Quigley issued a statement this week pointing out that on the MP’s website, under ‘key achievements’, Mr Seely says that, in October 2023, he “helped secure £20 million from the Conservative Government’s Towns Fund to secure regeneration in Ryde.” He also claims that in March 2022 he “helped to secure a £10m grant” to upgrade broadband on the Island.
Mr Quigley pointed out that areas selected for funding from the Towns Fund are based solely on levels of deprivation. The methodology is published on a government website, which makes clear there was no political input in the selection. The broadband funding is a postcode-based scheme for hard-to-reach properties. Wightfibre can claim a voucher for qualifying properties to help with the cost of installing high-speed broadband.
Cllr Quigley said: “We already know Bob’s relationship with sausages – but he also seems addicted to porky pies as well.
“If public funds are allocated based on lobbying – as Bob suggests – it would be an absolute disgrace. I don’t believe even this dreadful Conservative government is guilty of that. It is surprising that Bob thinks it’s a good idea to keep saying that his party gives taxpayers’ money to whoever shouts the loudest.”
The IW Observer asked Mr Seely for details of how he had “helped secure” the funding. He refused to answer but said: “If they don’t want to credit me, they can credit Rishi Sunak. Either way, since I have become MP, the Island’s got a much better deal with £175 million of extra investment – that’s me working with others as Team IW to deliver a better deal. Labour have delivered nothing.
“The Conservatives have a five-point plan and are sticking to it; Labour have no plan and nothing to offer but inaccuracy, snide remarks and carping.”
We asked Mr Seely whether he would correct any inaccuracies on his own website and whether other claims made on his ‘key achievements’ page are 100 per cent accurate. We did not receive a response.
Cllr Quigley said: “Bob’s responses are far removed from reality. What he and his party have delivered, is reduced council funding, now £94 million a year less, closed youth centres and libraries, made youth workers redundant, and obliterated chances for Islanders. I could go on, but it’s pointless. Ask anyone to name one thing that has got better over the last 14 years and, apart from MPs’ pay, the answer is nothing.
“No one expects their MP to be a miracle worker, but what we do deserve is honesty. Bob appears to have a problem with that.”