By Isle of Wight Observer
Dear Editor,
Our MP, Bob “Half-a-Sausage” Seely, may have been modest about how much he scoffed at that Seaview soirée during lockdown, but he certainly isn’t as shy when it comes to his list of claims about what he’s achieved.
His latest circular to Islanders boasts the usual exaggerations, but a different perspective on his performance is to be found on the independent on-line website, theyworkforyou.com. Just tap in your post code and all is revealed.
For instance: alongside details of a freebie skiing break at Davos, the luxury Swiss resort favoured by the royals, are figures about Bob’s voting record back at the day job we pay him to do. I’m not sure how much his all-expenses-paid skiing jolly contributed to any consideration of how his government’s cost of living crisis was affecting his constituents back on the Island.
His thoughts often seem to be on other foreign parts, too. The website reveals that since Bob was elected seven years ago, he has taken parliamentary time to talk about Russia 66 times, China 56 times, Ukraine 48 times and Hong Kong 11 times. That’s 181 occasions he could have aired our Island problems instead.
Meanwhile, back home, Islanders’ concerns about the frequently-failing ferry service got just 33 mentions.
Bob has paid lip-service to the crisis in Island dentistry provision, but doesn’t seem to have backed this up at work. He’s mentioned dentistry in general seven times in his seven years, but spoken only twice about Island dentistry in particular.
Those worried about cuts in social care, education and other vital services provided by the IW Council may be concerned to learn that Bob has voted twice to cut his government’s council grants that pay for these essentials.
It may be worth bearing all this in mind when Bob’s PR puffs drop through your letterbox in the run-up to the general election.
Mike Starke, Chale Green