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Isle Of Wight MP Says 'Sorry' For Conservatives Fiasco And Insists He's Working Hard For The Island

The Isle of Wight's MP has said sorry for the way the Conservative Party has been acting over the last few weeks, but insists he'll keep on working for the Island.

Bob Seely admits it has been a turbulent time following the resignation of Prime Minister, Liz Truss.

Her resignation came just a little over 24 hours after she told MPs she was a 'fighter, not a quitter'.

Ms Truss' time in office was dominated by market chaos, prompted by the mini-budget that was announced by former chancellor, Kwasi Kwarteng - who was then sacked.

Bob Seely speaks to Isle of Wight Radio

Mr Seely says the Conservatives now need 'unity' and has pledged to support whoever becomes PM - with Portsmouth North MP, Penny Mordaunt, his preferred choice.

Mr Seely said:

"I’m sorry to see the Prime Minister go. She has done the honourable thing and acted in the national interest.

"I supported Penny Mordaunt in the summer, and I’ll support her in the coming election now, should she choose to stand. Penny is a Portsmouth MP and knows the Solent area, and indeed the Island, well. I hope Penny will win, but whoever wins, the Conservative Party must pull together for the sake of the country.

"I remain entirely focused on the Island. While the Prime Minister was making her resignation statement, I was speaking in the House of Commons to ensure Government agree minimum service levels to be applied to our cross-Solent ferries in upcoming legislation.

"I will continue to deliver a better deal for the Island, whatever comes."

Mr Seely continued:

"Working with others, we’ve got well over £120m of additional investment in the past few years. That includes a £48m investment in the NHS, around £50m for Island Line and Ryde railway pier, nearly £6m for a heavy lift ship crane at East Cowes to help Island shipbuilding, and £20m for Isle of Wight College to go from strength to strength.

"I also made sure that the Island was a priority funding area for the Arts Council, we’ve got a road policing unit back on the Island, and the Government accepted my suggestion that it establish an Island’s Forum to enable UK islands to have single voice with Government.

"In addition, working with the previous Council, we secured the future of shipbuilding on the Island by ensuring that the Council buy the Columbine ‘Union Jack’ building at a price it could afford.

"We’ve managed to deliver a great deal to the Island, but there is always more to do, and I will keep on ensuring that we get a better deal for the Island."

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