AIBU?
To feel the Isle of Wight MP let down his constituents yesterday during PMQ
Dexterwasright · 17/09/2015 10:21
The IW has some very real problems: a low wage economy held back by the extortionate ferry fares; a poor education system; a crisis in care for the elderly and the critical likelihood that the Islandline train service will be shut due to a recent decision by the Conservative minister. So when the local Tory MP gets a chance to raise an issue in one of the most widely watched PMQ in recent years you hope that he will use it to address a significant concern of his constituents. No he decides to ask about a tiger and gives DC a chance waffle away.
The island needs real help at the moment and Andrew Turner decided a tiger that was lonely was the issue to raise. This is not even an issue for the local newspaper. They are leading on the likelihood of the train line closing and the lack of action by the MP. What about the thousands on lonely, elderly people on the island who are being left without care? The children who are stuck in failing schools and an infrastructure that is inadequate for the 21st century?
Or he could have spoken about the refugee crisis, the economy, the risk from terrorist etc etc.
AIBU to feel he let the IW down by his question and almost perpetuated it's image as a quirky, backward place?
For all you know she may have already contacted the MP in question.mummytime · 17/09/2015 10:29
Well when his majority is threatened he will learn his lesson.
I live in what you might think would be a Tory safe seat, but when a Tory MP ignored the issue that local people felt really threatened by - he lost his seat. Since then we've had MPs who known that forgetting local concerns will get them booted out.
So maybe you should make sure the press picks up on his lack of concern.
JeffreysMummyIsCross · 17/09/2015 10:41
This is the trouble with our electoral system. My constituency is ultra-safe tory, and we have a new MP who is a to-the-manor-born type with a father in the House of Lords. It's already quite clear that she is only interested in following her own interests rather than representing the views of her constituents. But the seat is hers for as long as she wants it.
queenrollo · 17/09/2015 12:52
JeffreysMummy I wonder if you live near me? That sounds like the Constituency next to mine. Tory safe seat here too and fresh faced MP in the job. Mine at least has been putting forward sensible questions and debate.
OP YANBU. I have family on the Island, and so am aware of all the issues you have raised in your post. All of them far more important. Get the feeling it was a deliberate ploy to try and keep control of PMQ's when they weren't sure how the new format was going to go.
Egosumquisum · 17/09/2015 13:26
This reply has been deleted
Message withdrawn at poster's request.
Dexterwasright · 17/09/2015 19:32
Well Mr Turner stated he was not renting his flat to another parliamentarian, no, it turned out it was the man's wife! The question probably was preset but why isn't he asking questions about serious issues that impact on one of the most deprived areas of the south? The deprivation on the IW is acute (average salary about £17000) but he has no interest in bettering it. This is not party politics, it is just politics.
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.