Island MP Andrew Turner
The Island’s MP, Andrew Turner, is encouraging Islanders to respond to the Boundary Commission’s proposals on how the Island will be split into two constituencies following the next election in 2015.
This morning the Commission published the electoral divisions that will be included in the two new seats of Isle of Wight North and Isle of Wight South. The Island is to be allocated two parliamentary seats following the successful cross-party campaign led by Mr Turner to fight the suggestion that there should be a cross-Solent seat.
It is proposed that the Isle of Wight North seat will include Cowes and East Cowes, Gurnard, Northwood, Parkhurst, Whippingham and Osborne, the five Newport electoral divisions, Wootton Bridge, Binstead and Fishbourne, Ryde’s five electoral divisions and Seaview and Nettlestone. The rest of the Island is to form a new seat named Isle of Wight South.
Andrew Turner said: “Some people will think this is the correct division, others will disagree. I urge Islanders to look at the proposals and make representations to the Boundary Commission to let them know what they think. There is a period of 12 weeks from today to respond to the Commission.
Asked about his own future Mr Turner said : “I will be the MP for the whole of the Island until the next election and I do not think it would be helpful to speculate about whether I will stand for one seat or the other. I can confirm that I do intend to stand at the next election, but I will not be making any further plans until the selection processes begin; that will probably be towards the end of 2013 because the proposals will not go before Parliament until then. Until the next election I will continue to serve the whole of the Island to the best of my ability.
