Island Life Magazine Ltd February/March 2015 | Page 107

ANDREW TURNER MP Andrew Turner MP The Riverside Centre, The Town Quay, Newport 01983 530808 [email protected] www.islandmp.org Exciting plans ahead W ell, we’re now well into the New Year and 2015 looks to be a positive year for the Island with a number of exciting plans in place. Following my debate on IW ferry services in October, I have arranged a meeting with the Transport Minister, the Rt. Hon John Hayes MP, together with Cllr. Ian Stephens, Leader of the Isle of Wight Council, to discuss how best to move forward our exciting plans for the Island’s transport system. This follows the Council’s unanimous motion to support the formation of a Transport Infrastructure Task Force, with experts taking a comprehensive view of the future transport needs of the Island. I am also discussing the plans with other potential partners, including all three ferry services and Go Ahead, the owners of Southern Vectis. The need for a total review of the Island’s transport has been recognised and I have worked hard to get Government support to move forward on an initiative to provide improvements across all areas of Island transport. I have, as always, been asking lots of questions in the Chamber, ensuring the needs of the Isle of Wight are highlighted at every opportunity. I recently asked the Prime Minister to acknowledge the important Perpetuus Tidal Energy Centre project, to be sited off St. Catherine’s, putting the UK at the forefront of tidal energy technology. This project will not only protect existing jobs but will also create several hundred more. It is very important to raise the profile of such innovative projects happening on the Island. Commitment and support from Government ministers can only help the tremendous work being undertaken by Island people and businesses, strengthen our economy and ensure the Island stays on the map when it comes to important decisions. I was very pleased to have been re-elected to the executive of the 1922 committee last year. Also known as ‘the 22’, it is how Conservative backbench MPs keep in touch with the leadership of the party. We meet every week when Parliament is sitting and we have direct access to the Prime Minister. Over my 14 years as the Island’s MP I have built strong relationships with Members of Parliament on all sides of the House – daily political life bears little resemblance to what goes on at Prime Minister’s questions every week. Instead you often find support for Island initiatives from unexpected quarters. One good example is that in 2007, when I was shadow minister for Charities, I worked on the new Charities Bill with Ed Miliband, then Minister for the Cabinet Office. In 2011 I was able to secure his support, by now Leader of the Labour Party, for the successful OneWight campaign, fighting to prevent parts of the Island being included in a cross-Solent constituency with an area of the mainland. Politics is a funny old game! www.visitilife.com 107