By Isle of Wight Observer
The devolution carriage of the first-class train is leaving the station. The Isle of Wight needs to be on that train and in that carriage. After all, we bought the ticket when we were awarded priority programme status back in January.
Even first-class journeys are bumpy and never entirely silent. But they follow the tracks and get you to your destination. And you get lots of updates on how your journey is going along the way. Our little guide book tells us what we can expect when we arrive. It sounds good and worth the journey. Good enough to not think about turning round and coming back.
Devolution is about a lot of things. Many of which are misunderstood. It allows decisions to be made closer to the people they affect. Local leaders better understand regional needs and can tailor policies to suit their communities. And they are accountable to you. No longer faceless Westminster civil servants or national representatives making decisions for us on a wide range of issues. Transport, housing, health, adult education, economic regeneration, for example, all setting up the opportunity to design services that are more efficient and responsive to local demands. Managed locally, delivered locally to better the local economy and communities we serve.
Developed regions like the Solent can develop strategies to attract investment, support local businesses, and create jobs – boosting our regional economies and reducing reliance on central government. Putting our Island in the driving seat, and an equal partner on the new voice and authority, with an equal voice ensuring the Island benefits from the transfer of powers and the additional funding that accompanies devolution deals.
And the journey is a starting point. We know, from areas like Manchester, that devolution grows and expands and local areas can acquire far more local control and powers as the years progress. It is a one-size agreement that works forever, without change. It is a continuing journey.
What we must not do is now start to play politics with this opportunity.
We know that the Government is going to devolve the entire country, and we are fortunate to be on the train and in the first-class devolution carriage. We should not now go to the back of the train in the mail carriage and await further instructions from government when they get round to placing the Solent area into a devolution arrangement, like it or not.
Full council will get to vote on the final chapter some time this autumn, before devolution is introduced in May 2026. I encourage my fellow councillors to put politics aside and drive forward with what is opportunity and benefit, success, and improvements for our Island. Let us get to our destination first, not last. Let us stay on the train.