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If I was in charge: Isle of Wight If I was in charge: Isle of Wight
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If I was in charge... The view from the Isle of WightIf I was in charge... The view from the Isle of Wight
With the local elections in England on Thursday, how much attention are people giving to issues in their area? Or are MPs' expenses dominating not only the headlines, but also the way people are thinking and voting? To conclude her three-day journey, BBC political reporter Rajini Vaidyanathan travelled to the Isle of Wight to find out.With the local elections in England on Thursday, how much attention are people giving to issues in their area? Or are MPs' expenses dominating not only the headlines, but also the way people are thinking and voting? To conclude her three-day journey, BBC political reporter Rajini Vaidyanathan travelled to the Isle of Wight to find out.
RAJINI VAIDYANATHAN I'm Rajini Vaidyanathan and in the run-up to England's local elections on Thursday, I've visited three very different parts of the country. Relive my journey south from Scarborough through Bakewell to the Isle of Wight. Day one: Scarborough Day two: BakewellRAJINI VAIDYANATHAN I'm Rajini Vaidyanathan and in the run-up to England's local elections on Thursday, I've visited three very different parts of the country. Relive my journey south from Scarborough through Bakewell to the Isle of Wight. Day one: Scarborough Day two: Bakewell
It's a 40 minute ferry ride from the mainland; a haven for tourists, with areas of outstanding natural beauty.It's a 40 minute ferry ride from the mainland; a haven for tourists, with areas of outstanding natural beauty.
The Isle of Wight is separated from the rest of the UK by the River Solent and it seems that that distance gives many here a different perspective on this week's local elections. The Isle of Wight is separated from the rest of the UK by the Solent and it seems that that distance gives many here a different perspective on this week's local elections.
For a start the feeling I took away was that local issues take on a whole new perspective because the Isle of Wight is across the water from the rest of England.For a start the feeling I took away was that local issues take on a whole new perspective because the Isle of Wight is across the water from the rest of England.
While the outrage over MPs' expenses dominated almost every conversation I had in Bakewell and Scarborough, the anger here was more muted, with people keen to separate Westminster and council issues.While the outrage over MPs' expenses dominated almost every conversation I had in Bakewell and Scarborough, the anger here was more muted, with people keen to separate Westminster and council issues.
The day we visited the Isle of Wight, was the day the local MP had his expense claims published in the Telegraph, but much to my surprise, very little reference was made to this by the people I meet.The day we visited the Isle of Wight, was the day the local MP had his expense claims published in the Telegraph, but much to my surprise, very little reference was made to this by the people I meet.
The Isle of Wight has its own county council based in NewportThe Isle of Wight has its own county council based in Newport
"Local comes first, that's where we live. After that we look at the big picture," Tony tells me."Local comes first, that's where we live. After that we look at the big picture," Tony tells me.
For him the number one issue locally is the economy and jobs. Unemployment on the Isle of Wight is above the national average.For him the number one issue locally is the economy and jobs. Unemployment on the Isle of Wight is above the national average.
Tony says he is worried about the loss of 450 jobs due to the closure of the wind turbine plant on the island, owned by Danish company Vestas.Tony says he is worried about the loss of 450 jobs due to the closure of the wind turbine plant on the island, owned by Danish company Vestas.
Tourism is one of the lifelines to the local economy, providing a quarter of all jobs.Tourism is one of the lifelines to the local economy, providing a quarter of all jobs.
Many were concerned with transport links to the island; several people said they were concerned at the cost of taking a ferry to and from the mainland.Many were concerned with transport links to the island; several people said they were concerned at the cost of taking a ferry to and from the mainland.
Rowena Nahell runs a bed and breakfast on the Isle of Wight.Rowena Nahell runs a bed and breakfast on the Isle of Wight.
"I think a lot more needs to be put into tourism," she said."I think a lot more needs to be put into tourism," she said.
"For people who have businesses that depend on the tourist trade, I believe the ferries are the main obstacle preventing the Isle of Wight from being a tourist destination.""For people who have businesses that depend on the tourist trade, I believe the ferries are the main obstacle preventing the Isle of Wight from being a tourist destination."
Retired solicitor Adrian Hewson was also exercised about transport links, and was concerned about the cost of travelling to the mainland. He suggested a bridge to link the island as a solution.Retired solicitor Adrian Hewson was also exercised about transport links, and was concerned about the cost of travelling to the mainland. He suggested a bridge to link the island as a solution.
"A lot of people do not want a bridge because they think that it might destroy the Isle of Wight," he said."A lot of people do not want a bridge because they think that it might destroy the Isle of Wight," he said.
"I do not agree with that. I think a bridge which improved access would be a good thing. The roads here are very bad.""I do not agree with that. I think a bridge which improved access would be a good thing. The roads here are very bad."
The island has a rich tradition in maritime industriesThe island has a rich tradition in maritime industries
The views here suggest that on the Isle of Wight the local elections will not just be a referendum on the government and that people will use Thursday's vote as an opportunity to decide how the island is run.The views here suggest that on the Isle of Wight the local elections will not just be a referendum on the government and that people will use Thursday's vote as an opportunity to decide how the island is run.
That is not to say that expenses are totally off the agenda.That is not to say that expenses are totally off the agenda.
For Dennis, talk of politicians in London simply strengthens the case for a more localised style of politics.For Dennis, talk of politicians in London simply strengthens the case for a more localised style of politics.
"We like and depend on the people we know. When they are further than arm's length we really do not know what they are up to, and we are seeing that in parliament at the moment aren't we with MPs and the various scandals," he said."We like and depend on the people we know. When they are further than arm's length we really do not know what they are up to, and we are seeing that in parliament at the moment aren't we with MPs and the various scandals," he said.
Giving power back to the people in the wake of the expenses scandals has been a mantra from all MPs. Dennis thinks politicians need to focus more on what people are saying in their constituencies.Giving power back to the people in the wake of the expenses scandals has been a mantra from all MPs. Dennis thinks politicians need to focus more on what people are saying in their constituencies.
"Every national issue always starts at ground roots which is here. On this high street," he said."Every national issue always starts at ground roots which is here. On this high street," he said.
Visiting three very different places this week the message was ultimately the same - on both local and national issues, many people have lost trust in politics, to the point that many don't feel there is any point in voting anymore.Visiting three very different places this week the message was ultimately the same - on both local and national issues, many people have lost trust in politics, to the point that many don't feel there is any point in voting anymore.
How do politicians mend that broken relationship?How do politicians mend that broken relationship?
One man I met in Scarborough had one suggestion: "They need to get out and meet every single person whose money they've spent".One man I met in Scarborough had one suggestion: "They need to get out and meet every single person whose money they've spent".