Isle of Wight Conservatives heard it from the new leader's mouth...Liz Truss will deliver the Island Deal her predecessor Boris Johnson didn't get done.

The new Prime Minister was asked by Island journalist and podcaster Harriet Hadfield whether she would take on Mr Johnson's still pending Island Deal, when she visited the Island Riding Centre, Newport, to talk to party members as part of the leadership hustings.

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Harriet, who created the Five Stories Isle of Wight newsletter and Island Stories podcast, is a former Sky News and BBC reporter.

With her new baby, Charles, then seven weeks old, in a sling in front of her, she asked Liz Truss: "Ferries has to be the number one issue but so is levelling up, an Island Deal...are you able to take on the promise Boris Johnson wasn't able to deliver, that of the Island Deal?

Ms Truss responded: "I am officially taking on all of Boris Johnson's promises from the manifesto.

"I will get them delivered, be it hospital buildings or the Island deal."

Party member Harriet, who is a Seaview And Nettlestone parish councillor, continued: "We are due to have two MPs to elect on the Isle of Wight next time.

"We are due to have two Conservative candidates standing. If we haven't delivered on these things I think we will struggle."

Ms Truss responded: "You are absolutely right. We made huge promises in 2019 but some major things have happened, namely the war in Ukraine and the Covid crisis but voters are not very forgiving, so we need to get on and deliver these things."

Harriet told the County Press: "Liz was great, she seemed to be genuinely enthusiastic about the Island and was obviously popular with local members.

"She took the time to chat with me afterwards and is very keen on encouraging more women into politics! Who better than our third female PM?"