Island Life Magazine Ltd August/September 2010 | Page 12

andrew turner mp Island Life - August/September 2010 Andrew Turner One Wight One Island! One of the great things about being the of the Island will be merged with Member of Parliament for the Isle of mainland constituencies. Wight and living here is the very strong sense of identity that the Island has. Some MPs represent areas with no Mr Clegg’s Bill to change the law – and our boundaries - will start its Such a turn of events hasn’t happened formal discussion in the House of since 1832, and for good reason. The Commons on September 6 – so we have Island is unique and we are proud of it. only a short time to gather support. clear identity – I remember taking part Government has recognised for nearly in a radio programme with Labour MP, two centuries that the Island is best Islanders, and anybody else who Stephen Pound. The interviewer said served by MPs who live here and who opposes these plans, to sign a ‘Mr Turner you have mentioned your are entirely focused on the particular Parliamentary petition. If you feel constituency a number of times – but needs of Islanders. strongly that the Island’s unique Mr Pound has not mentioned his once’. The One Wight campaign is asking I am glad to say that the local political circumstances should be recognised, Steve said ‘Well, nobody knows where parties are agreed on this issue, and write to tell the Deputy Prime Minister Ealing North is’. are enthusiastically supporting the what you think. I have never felt that lack of distinctiveness about the Isle of campaign – it is truly cross-party. We Wight, not for a moment. have the support of our excellent local enough to help get signatures for Many Islanders have also been kind Sadly, there is a Bill before Parliament press and many organisations including the petition in their street or village, which I believe would damage the way the Chamber of Commerce. Everybody and some of you will have seen the the Island is perceived and represented, is very disappointed by the lack of petition sheets or posters in shops and and I am asking for your help to oppose consultation on these plans. The businesses throughout the Island. it. Government has already agreed that To sign the petition, see what we are In June, the Deputy Prime Minister, two Scottish island constituencies will up to, or get involved, go to www. Nick Clegg MP announced a plan to be exempt from the new law, but they onewight.org.uk, call the campaign reduce the number of MPs and to have given no convincing reasons why hotline on 244244 or email Bob Seely equalise the numbers of voters in each they should get special recognition, but at [email protected]. You can seat. So far so good! Unfortunately, not the Isle of Wight. We want the also find us on Facebook or Twitter as as part of that plan our constituency Island to be added to the very modest OneWight! boundaries will be re-drawn, and parts list of exemptions. 12 Visit our new website - www.visitislandlife.com