THE FIRST meeting of the all party parliamentary group (APPG) to promote the interests of UK islands has been chaired by Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely.
The group, set up by Mr Seely, brings together representatives of four different political parties to work for the betterment of their respective islands.
Its members include the Island’s Lord Brabazon of Tara and Tory MP for Worthing Sir Peter Bottomley, whose family home is in Seaview.
The group enables MPs and peers from all parties to join together to lobby government for their islands.
“We need to promote the needs of island communities within Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and in particular to support the economic and social well-being of island residents,” said Mr Seely.
“Top of the agenda was a discussion on finding ways of making the case, as islands, for the provision of high quality, accessible public services and affordable transport provision to and from these islands, plus the right infrastructure investment.
“This group will pool islands’ political resources to lobby government for a better deal for our communities. 
“It means we have a much bigger voice at Westminster and it is part of my plan to go into battle for the Island to make sure government listens and does not overlook us.”
Following its formation members will be working with the House of Commons Library to arrange initial research to identify areas for further work. 
In the meantime, Mr Seely and fellow members are looking ahead to a House of Lords debate taking place next Thursday on the transport needs of remote island communities in England, led by Labour peer Lord Berkeley.