Former Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, visited Ryde today (Friday). Together with Joe Robertson, Conservative MP candidate for Isle of Wight East, she met local business people at Yelf’s Hotel and Victoria Arcade. Top of the agenda was the future opportunities for Ryde arising from £20 million of investment announced by the Government last October. Mrs Braverman also met with local residents and heard about the challenges facing Island schools and the slow pace of delivering affordable homes.
“It was a pleasure to be back on the Island again and talking to local residents and businesses,” Suella Braverman said. “The Island is a unique and special place, no better demonstrated by the number of vibrant independent shops on Union Street in Ryde. I am delighted at the confidence the Government has shown in Ryde’s future by providing £20 million to invest over the next decade. It is important that local residents, businesses and community groups have a strong voice in deciding how the money is used.”
Looking ahead to the General Election expected later this year, Mrs Braverman added, “Bob Seely has been an energetic champion for the Isle of Wight in Parliament. Now that the Island will divide into two constituencies, I know Joe would make a hardworking local MP for the East Wight. He has been talking to me about his priorities for better jobs and opportunities for young people but also about the challenges facing health and social care – an area he knows well through his work for a national health charity.”
Toby Brading, owner of Yelf’s Hotel, said, “It was great to see Suella on the Island, listening to residents and business people face-to-face. We want to bring together the very best ideas for making the Island an even better place to live, work and visit, by investing money wisely. Together with Joe Robertson, I will be hosting local meetings in the coming months to help do just that.”
