My thanks to all who voted in the General and Local Elections on Thursday, whichever candidate you voted for, but thanks in particular for the great expression of confidence you gave me in voting me in for another term as the Island's MP. I feel enormously privileged and humble in the face of such support, and promise to work just as hard for the Island and for Islanders as I have done over the last four years.
I should also like to thank those who helped any of the political parties in any way. Without the voluteers who support candidates our political process would be immeasurably weaker.
We now have the opportunity of a fresh start in the politics of the Island - working with the Council, I intend to ensure that never again are we presented to Government as an economic basket case but instead emphasize on our strengths. Our wonderful coastline and countryside and superb leisure facilities are well-known, but some world-beating businesses and the loyalty of Islanders as employees are both well-kept secrets. In the next few weeks I intend to harry Government energetically to solve the shortage of NHS dentists, to ensure that NHS GP practices do not go the same way, and to overcome the obstacles to a Care Trust which would be a very appropriate way of delivering health care on the Island.
The State Opening of the new Parliament by Her Majesty The Queen is on 17th May but my office is back to normal service and my first regular surgery will be on Friday 20th May.
| Result on the Isle of Wight |
| Conservative |
 |
48.9% |
| Liberal Democrat |
 |
29.5% |
| Labour |
 |
17.2% |
| Swing: 7.5% from LD to CON |
| Name |
Party |
Votes |
% |
/- % |
| Andrew Turner |
|
Conservative |
32,717 |
48.9 |
9.2 |
| Anthony Rowlands |
|
Liberal Democrat |
19,739 |
29.5 |
-5.8 |
| Mark Chiverton |
|
Labour |
11,484 |
17.2 |
2.0 |
| Michael Tarrant |
|
UK Independence Party |
2,352 |
3.5 |
0.2 |
| Edward Corby |
|
Independent |
551 |
0.8 |
0.8 |
| Majority |
12,978 |
19.4 |
|
| Turnout |
66,843 |
61.3 |
0.5 |
Promoted by G A Nichols on behalf of Andrew Turner, both of 58 The Mall, Carisbrooke Road, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 1BW
and by Island Webservices of 2 Highwood Lane, Rookley, Ventnor, Isle of Wight, PO38 3NN
