Isle of Wight councillor says he has no plans to stand as MP

Since the last general election, the Lib Dems have spectacularly gained three seats from the Conservatives.

In the Devon seat of Tiverton and Honiton, we came from miles behind in third place to win — the swing from the Conservatives was a massive 29.9 per cent!

Politics is resetting. For the Isle of Wight that means a return to the traditional battle between Conservatives and Lib Dems (and Liberals before us).

Islanders face (at least!) four crises: the cost-of-living crisis, the affordable housing crisis, the funding crisis in our local services, and — as soaring temperatures brought home last week — the climate crisis.

In their response to these crises, the Conservatives under Boris Johnson have failed.

At best, it has been too little, too late. Will a new leader do better?

It’s hard to be hopeful, given what the candidates have said in their campaigns so far.

Whoever the Conservatives choose, Isle of Wight Lib Dems are readying to campaign hard through to the next general election.

Your columnist suggests that I should stand. I have no plans to.

But our party’s process for candidate selection will, I’m sure, mean we will be the best alternative to Bob Seely and the Conservatives on the Isle of Wight.

Read more letters sent to the County Press here. Do you have a view on this or any other subject? Send us a letter – under 350 words if possible - to editor@iwcp.co.uk