MP's: 2 For the Price of 1.

I am supporting the Isle of Wight Councillor having 2 MP's. In the past all three political party's have supported the Island retaining it's one MP. I understand the reason for this was due to the perception that the Island would share it's MP with England.

Elsewhere, the Western Isles has 21,000 constituents, Shetland & Orkney has 32,000 constituents and Anglesey has around 50,000 constituents. With these Island communities in mind it seems hardly fair that at almost 110,000 we only have the same amount of representation at Westminster than these other island communities. The fact that the second largest constituency has 25,000 LESS than the Isle of Wight demonstrates that our Island, and our residents are being sold short of entitled representation at Westminster.

The new coalition Government, are to investigate Political Reform and by saving money are looking to reduce the number of MP's. Rather than doing this, if Government really wants to be representative of local communities why not, reduce our MP's salaries rather than the number of MP's themselves.

An End to Garden Grabbing?

Planning Law has changed with respect to Garden Grabbing Planning Policy. Since 9th June, the new coalition government introduced a new policy, which now makes Gardens 'green-field' sites rather than brown field sites. This will mean that Planners from now on will only permit development where exceptional circumstances apply.

Planners from the Isle of Wight Council, considers that the Island has enough allocated land available to make up for the loss of many of these former windfall sites. It should be noted that sites 'approved' before 9th June, such as those recently in Egypt Hill are still permitted so long as they are developed within the timeframes allowed.