Robertson selected as Tories’ candidate

Bembridge councillor and leader of the Tory group on the IW Council, Joe Robertson, has been selected to fight the Isle of Wight East seat at the next election. Just under 300 local Tory members chose their candidate on Monday at a meeting in Shanklin Theatre. Mr Robertson was one of the four contenders to make the final, two who also live locally, Ian Wellby and Harriett Hadfield, and Louise Brice, a Kent councillor.

After winning the contest by a comfortable margin, Mr Robertson, who is 39, and lives with his wife and two children in St Helens, said: “This seat is eminently winnable for the Conservatives with the right candidate who works hard, and I will be running a very local campaign. As someone who grew up on the Island and lives and works here, I will be focussing on things that really matter to Islanders, including jobs and opportunities for young people, housing, schools and health.” He added: “If I’m lucky enough to be elected I will be a local MP first and foremost, working for Islanders; I’m not seeking high office. Both the other Island candidates have contacted me with their congratulations.”

On the possibility of the Conservatives taking over the IW Council with the support of the new Empowering Islanders group, Mr Robertson said that he was continuing to have talks with councillors across the chamber about the future of the council. He confirmed he would remain as leader of the Tory group.

However, Mr Robertson will be up against strong competition to become the first MP for the new seat. This week the IW Green Party confirmed that, subject to a vote of its members, their two confirmed candidates are swapping seats after the final proposals from the Boundary Commission moved East Cowes into Isle of Wight West. Vix Lowthian will now stand in the East seat and Cameron Palin, currently deputy Mayor of East Cowes, for the West.

Labour and the Liberal Democrats have not officially announced their candidates yet, although a spokesman for IW Labour said, about the Green Party plans: “We welcome the announcement as it’s a clear recognition by the Green Party that the West seat is a clear Labour/Tory fight, with Richard Quigley the most likely candidate to beat Bob Seely.”

However, the usual politics might be upset by a newcomer on the block, the right-wing Reform UK Party, which is fielding Sarah Morris as a candidate on the east of the Island. She said: “All the major parties have let us down and when I am out campaigning there is very little support for them. What people are saying to me is pretty much exactly what is in our manifesto. I am just an ordinary person, but I want to stand up and make a difference.” Reform UK confirmed they will also be putting forward a candidate for the West Wight seat to challenge Bob Seely.