Jubilee City bid's next step for Isle of Wight

It sits alongside placed including the Cayman Islands, Gibraltar and the Falklands, as well as the less distant Isle of Man, Dorset, Sussex and Northern Ireland.

Listed as being in Hampshire, according to the release from the Government's cabinet office, our Newport and Carisbrooke proposal was first talked about in the summer.

The idea of Mountjoy and Shide's Councillor Martin Oliver, there has been a mixed reaction to the plan.

Newport Guildhall.

Read more:

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At a meeting in September, some Isle of Wight Councillors dismissed the idea, while others argued a bid like the Island's would add variety to what can be considered a city.

Now the Island's bid is official listed, an expert panel will work with Ministers to make recommendations, before approval by The Queen.

There is no set number of towns that could be made cities, it just depends on the strength of the individual applications received.

It is claimed that winning city status boosts local communities and opens up new opportunities for residents.

Previous winners, Perth and Preston, have both reported benefits to their reputation.

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Steve Barclay said: "Today’s announcement is a celebration of the rich and diverse communities which make up not only the United Kingdom, but also our friends further afield in the Falklands, Gibraltar and the Cayman Islands.

"It’s fitting that, as we look towards celebrating the 70 year reign of Her Majesty the Queen, we extend the competition to include those parts of the world which also hold her so dearly.

"City status is not only about local pride, it can deliver real levelling up benefits for businesses and the local area which is clear from the high number of applications. A sincere best of luck to all those who have applied."

Carisbrooke Castle.

Applicants, including the Isle of Wight, were asked to talk about the distinct identity and community which they felt meant that their area deserved to become a city, as well as the royal associations of their area.

Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said: "Her Majesty The Queen's Platinum Jubilee is an exciting chance for local areas to become cities and level up opportunities for all. As well as fostering local pride and potential, this competition is a great way to mark Her Majesty's 70 year reign.

"I wish all entries the best of luck. 2022 is set to be a year of pride, celebration and coming together with the four-day weekend for the Platinum Jubilee alongside other blockbuster events including the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and Unboxed, championing creativity in the UK."

Here is the full list of applicants:

Alcester, Warwickshire

Ballymena, County Antrim

Bangor, County Down

Blackburn, Lancashire

Bolsover, Derbyshire

Boston, Lincolnshire

Bournemouth, Dorset

Coleraine, County Londonderry

Colchester, Essex

Crawley, West Sussex

Crewe, Cheshire

Doncaster, South Yorkshire

Dorchester, Dorset

Douglas, Isle of Man

Dudley, West Midlands

Dumfries, Dumfries and Galloway

Dunfermline, Fife

Elgin, Moray

George Town, Cayman Islands

Gibraltar, Gibraltar

Goole, East Yorkshire

Greenock, Renfrewshire

Guildford, Surrey

Livingston, West Lothian

Marazion, Cornwall

Medway, Kent

Middlesborough, North Yorkshire

Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire

Newport and Carisbrooke, Hampshire

Northampton, Northamptonshire

Oban, Argyll and Bute

Reading, Berkshire

Peel, Isle of Man

St Andrews, Fife

Stanley, Falkland Islands

South Ayrshire, Ayrshire and Arran

Warrington, Cheshire

Warwick, Warwickshire

Wrexham, Clwyd