By Isle of Wight Observer
I thoroughly enjoyed visiting Gatten & Lake Primary School recently, and talking to Year 6 pupils about the role of Parliament and an MP. I was asked a wide range of questions such as, “Do you like the Prime Minister?”! It was a good opportunity to discuss how genuine debate about how to make the country a better place can be done without disliking people who you disagree with.
Whilst at Gatten & Lake, I launched my 2025 Christmas Card design competition which is open to all primary-aged children in Isle of Wight East. The 2024 entries were fantastic, and I am looking forward to seeing what the children design this year.
During a recent visit to Sandown, I met with the owners of Sandown Pier to discuss how a ‘Machine Games Duty’ tax would affect their business. This additional tax, which is intended to target online gaming, will affect jobs and threaten seaside resorts and attractions, like Sandown Pier, if it is applied to 20p slot machines.
More generally, Sandown is in need of central government support and it is disappointing that Sandown was not included in the recent government announcement regarding ‘Pride In Place’ funding. Sandown is a perfect example of a town which should benefit from this type of funding and I am arguing the case directly with government for it to be included. I am also looking to work with local community leaders, like Ian Boyd and Alex Lightfoot, to create a leadership group to help co-ordinate joint lobbying efforts on a local and national level.
I recently met young ambassadors from the Royal Yacht Squadron’s Foundation. The Foundation supports young Islanders who are interested in careers in the maritime industry, providing grants to support education and training in jobs, including yacht skippering and boat-building. I was also pleased to be invited to the opening of the new wing at CECAMM (Centre of Excellence for Composites, Advanced Manufacturing and Marine), to have a tour of the facilities and speak with students and staff. We need to encourage education opportunities for our young Islanders, and be able to offer high-level courses without needing to leave the Island.