By Isle of Wight Observer
With students across the Island (and the country) opening their long-awaited exam results this week, I want to say a huge congratulations to everyone who completed their studies. It’s one of life’s milestones, and irrespective of which direction you’re taking next, you should be incredibly proud of the hard work, resilience, and determination shown to get this far.
So, I want to give a shout-out to the teachers, parents, carers, friends, and support networks. It might not seem it, but giving encouragement, support, and even just being there will have made a world of difference and life-long impact.
That’s why supporting young people as they take their next steps is a key priority for me. I know that for many young people on the Island taking next steps feels harder and opportunities seem more limited. So, my team and I are engaging with employers to join the dots and help create those pathways to next step and ensure no young person is left behind.
As a starter, I’m pleased to have partnered with Wightlink and Red Funnel to offer two free return ferry tickets to all West Wight young people, registered on the electoral roll, in celebration of their 18th birthday. While this doesn’t solve the challenges of ferry affordability or accessibility, I hope it opens up new possibilities – whether it’s for a job interview, visiting family, or simply enjoying a day out. It’s a small step toward removing the barriers posed by cross-Solent travel and a good way to help young Islanders feel more independent.
I also hope this initiative encourages greater engagement with politics. Encouragingly about two-thirds of young people think it’s important to learn more about politics. So, with the government’s plans to lower the voting age to 16, I hope more young Islanders will feel empowered.
Finally, it would be remiss of me to not to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory over Japan, commemorated on August 15. VJ Day effectively brought the war to an end and restored peace. Therefore, it’s important to reflect on the bravery and sacrifices made by that generation and a reminder of our commitment to peace, security, and democracy.