Author: Sally Perry
BBC Isle Of White Boob Again
Thursday, 29th July, 2010 at 11:17 am, Isle of Wight
As well as missing the carnival last night, we also missed Newsnight, so thanks to Facebook Friend ‘Cognitive Dissonance’ for highlighting the following.
During the discussion between Michael Crick and Gavin Esler on the issue of constituency sizes, a map was displayed in the background showing various constituency sizes around the country.
The Isle of Wight was highlighted as one of the largest with 109,902 eligible voters.
Unfortunately, whoever created the graphics obviously hadn’t been to or heard of the Isle of Wight before, because as can be seen by the screen grabs, Wight was replaced with White. Again!
Gavin very tactfully apologised, adding that “someone needs a dictionary as well as an atlas”.
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Another recent BBC example – earlier this month, their website’s local weather page was showing “Ventnor, Isle of White”, but it has since been corrected.
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We would like to take the opportunity to say that we are not supporting the County Press petition because they have taken it upon themselves to use the issue of one island to simultaneously promote one MP. We do say that it is absolutely necessary to maintain the island as one entity but there is a constitutional issue and principle of supporting representation of 2 MP’s on the island.
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I’m not supporting it either…with one MP we are under-represented.
I would prefer two Island based MP’s but see no real problem with a mainland based one either.
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Quite agree!
How does all this island jingoism benefit us? The isolationism just encourages leaving things as they are and beneficial developments pass us by.
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I agree we need two MPs to represent the IoW.
And lets hope that those who stand for election are islanders, and reside here.
No more Cameron whiz kids from Tory Central Office.
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As if RTUC would ever support a blinkin Tory, even if he was advocating a 20 hour week and retirement at 50. Up the workers!
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Just to clarify,
RTUC has regularly met Andrew Turner and where there are things in common we have no problem in supporting him provided that it is for the well being of Isle of Wight citizens. On the occasion where he has shifted his position, for example on the constitutional issue of the Isle of Wight as a single entity but with two MP’s we will definitely support as long as he maintains that stand.
We understand that this could even return two Conservative MP’s but the principle remains. We prefer to take principled positions rather than pragmatic ones.
Also, we understand the point made concerning the Isle of Wight as part of England and consider that the Isle of Wight as a single entity, and what this means for the island and its citizens, is worthy of discussion.
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the island is part of england, therefore cannot be considered as a single entity.
Theres an awful lot of people on this Island that like to point out how ‘unique’ the island is, and that it should be seen as a separate part of britain when it suits them, and then in the next breath, they talk about how terrible it is to not have a fixed link, and moan about the ferries etc.
YOu cant have it both ways. Either we are part of Britain or we’re not. Personally I would like to see two MPs on the island, or part of the east wight linked with the mainland. Unfortunately, I think part of the west wight will end up linked.
As for the BBC, I hope the researcher that didnt bother to look at the map properly and notice the spelling is severely repremanded. They should be fined 5 years pay and forced to eat their lunch in the cellar.
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I thought this Govt was supposed to be reducing spending. What on earth will it cost and how will an MP cope with crossing the Solent half the time and where will he/she live? This Island has always prided itself on still being a community and it is one of our strengths. Two MP’s pulling in different directions will not help our economy – however they could divide us and we will then not achieve anything. ‘United we stand, divided we fall’. I do not wish to be in the one third linked to a mainland constituency, playing second fiddle to Portsmouth or the New Forest. The current MP in that direction has already caused more than enough trouble over the Yarmouth ferry link, and seems prepared to cut the Island off, so we know what he thinks of the Island. Andrew T has worked hard and conscientiously, and ‘over there’ he is considered a really good constituency MP. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that all MP’s are hard-working because they aren’t.
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It doesn’t matter how hard a MP works! The point is that two constituency MPs with less tha 50,000 electors each can out-vote our MP with 110,000 electors. Therefore that cannot be democracy! Either combine all other constituences to around 100,000 electors or give us two MPs.
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Countries are entitities, they have common language and culture and common boundaries. Entities can still have some independence as part of the whole. There is a relation between the two. There is a national dependence as well as a local function where sometimes local responsibility is devolved from the greater function. The Isle of Wight is part of England. England, Scotland and Wales are nations countries within the state of Britain but they are entities. Cornwall was once considered to be a Nation with its own language but it still is an entity in its own right. Regions are entities like the West Midlands but Coventry is not only part of the West Midlands it is still an entity as a city with surrounding districts. Parts of Herefordshire were once in England and Wales as is Monmouth, but each are entities. The Isle of Wight is part of Hampshire but is also an entity in its own right, There are historical reasons for entities to change their boundaries or become part of other areas and the isle of Wight is similar. The Isle of Wight has its own history and its own characteristics. Apart from the fact that it us an island with its own boundaries it has its own infrastructure. Services have been built up around these things and so the Police Force, Health Service’ and Fire Service etc were built upon the island. If the services are removed the entity is compromised and violated but it still endeavours to remain an entity and preserve its identity within its boundaries. It has to do this and the citizens on the island realise the importance of maintaining and developing the local economy and local facilities.Efficiency and confidence cannot be maintained with an outside interest because sooner or later the compromise can lead to serious damage and neglect. As an entity the island has its own council and that it is why it is a political constituency and should be 2 constituencies because of the number of people who live here. Constitutionally it must have 2 MP’s within the island to represent it and the integrity of the island has to be fought for otherwise the island could lose its hospital and various other services it has established.
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Why must we have two within its boundary. AT is from the mainland only moving here just before he lost the 2001 election, before that he stood in E. London and Birmingham. An MP based a mere 2/3 miles away in the New Forest would have far more in common with us than it did in 2001 with AT on the back of his E. London failure to get elected.
I would rather have the best man for the job whether he be from England, Cornwall, India, Iraq or even the New Forest.
I still support the ideal of two MPS based on the Island…but unless we get a U turn from Clegg/Cameron we aren’t going to get that. The next best thing is a second MP within a similar enviroment.
The worst possible democratic possibility is that we are left with one MP and are under represented as we are now.
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Our current MP crosses the Solent all the time…don’t forget he actually lives in London..his registerred first home, his Island home is his second home for ,convienience.
Thuis fantasy of an Island ‘community’ is foisted mainly by those on the West Wight in or nearing retirement. They have no concept of life outside their bubble, they have no concept of eeking out a living, of the tourist trade on the East coast or the reality of theri re-elected Tory council destroying this Island..
In the West Wight AT might be considered a good CONstituency MP, but his once every four year visit to Morrisons in Lake doesn’t impress me at all…nor his complete lack of achievement despite best efforts.
Bring in a new man as competition, who cares where he comes from (AT is from Coventry) as long as he does the job WE ALL pay him to do
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No5, you really are a bit of a bore on this subject. Andrew Turner had to declare his London address his ‘home’ to stay within the rules, not his rules, Parliament’s rules. His home is in Newport.
Apart from making you feel better, why do you persist with the London home nonsense?
Turner did not ever stand as an Mp in East London, you made that up ages ago and for some bizarre reason keep repeating it.
As for a mainland Mp, do you really think this makes any sense at all? Would they really represent Island interests when they conflict with those of mainland constituents?
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hahahha.. 1992 AT stood as Conservative in Hackney South & Shoreditch, came second with 10,714 votes.
Also stood for European Parliament in Birmingham East in 1994 came second with 34,171 votes.
Maybe Mr. Justice should become Mr. Humble..or Mr.’proved wrong once again’
AT did not have to register his London house as his 1st home..but there are perks for doing so
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Just because proving Mr Justice wrong amuses me:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/person/5261/andrew-turner
Apparently, Mr J, No. 5 has succeeded in getting what he “made that up ages ago and for some bizarre reason keep repeating it.” published in the Gardian. Now I know newspapers can make mistakes, but I would think this fact was very easily checked with a quick call to Con Central Office, whom Im sure the Gaurdian has on speed dial.
So either No. 5 has succeeded in his dastardly ploy to make up facts about Andrew Turner, or, perhaps, just maybe, you, Mr Justice, are wrong.
Im sure No. 5 would be happy to receive your apology.
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