By Isle of Wight Observer
Isle of Wighters are currently the least represented citizens in Westminster. As the biggest constituency in the UK, Bob Seely ‘represents’ around 120,000 Islanders, while the average MP represents around 75,000 people.
Great news then, that at the next election the Island will have two MPs? Sadly, our first past the post system means that there is a very real chance that we’ll just send two Conservatives back to Westminster, meaning double the representation for Tory voters, and no representation at all for the many of us who want action on wealth inequality, saving our NHS, addressing the climate and nature crisis, better chances for young people etc.
As a nurse working in A&E I know that the NHS will not survive another five years of Tory misrule. Our beaches are full of sewage as the water companies are not stopped from putting shareholders above customers. People struggle under a ‘cost of living crisis’ which is actually a ‘wealth inequality crisis’ as energy companies make record profits. Our young people’s futures are compromised as the short-term interests of the already wealthy, are prioritised over the wellbeing of people and our environment.
At the next election I would like to be talking about these issues, but instead I know that the only way to get an MP that represents any of these shared values is by working together. If we all vote for the party or candidate we simply like the best, our voting system means the ‘progressive’ vote will be split, and even though we are the majority, the Conservatives will win again. Divide and rule, literally. For non-Tory voters, we are sadly very used to having to ‘lend’ our votes to the best-placed party, but in East Wight, there is no clear tactical choice, meaning we need to get organised.
The East Wight Primary, inspired by the South Devon Primary, answers the question of who is the tactical choice, by inviting local people to decide. Everyone will be invited to open meetings in March in town halls across East Wight, to hear from the candidates and vote for who is the best-placed candidate from Labour, Lib Dems and the Greens. The Q&As will be recorded so candidates can be held to the commitments they make.
No one will be asked to stand down at the election, but we will have a locally informed tactical choice, rather than following tactical voting websites, or risk wasting our votes. After the Q&As the winner of the secret vote will be announced as the ‘People’s Champion’ and those who want fairer, more inclusive politics can choose to support them.
Many people feel they have little control over the forces that shape their lives, as globalisation and digitalisation make us feel like small cogs in ever bigger wheels. Lots of working people are so stretched by in-work poverty and caring responsibilities that finding any spare energy to engage in politics that may improve things is impossible.
Our voting system also breeds disillusionment and apathy, which has real impacts as many local council seats go uncontested, and people feel powerless and locked out of the system they are part of. It breaks my heart that you can’t say to a young person
“Vote – it matters, it counts,” because often it doesn’t. By working together, we can make our votes count for once.
I wish the East Wight Primary wasn’t necessary, I wish we could be talking about policies, not politics, but it is the only way we can get the representation that we so desperately need. Join us!
All the details can be found at eastwightprimary.org/faq. Please sign up and look out for the invitation in the New Year to book tickets for the Q&A sessions.