A Ventnor man who has campaigned to get roads open is throwing his hat into the ring and will stand as a prospective parliamentary candidate in the General Election, for Isle of Wight East.

David Groocock, an independent, explained: "I decided to enter the election to make a point about the situation we in Ventnor and surrounding towns and villages find ourselves in since the closure of several roads.

"I have quickly realised that I have a huge amount of support and realise I must do my best to look at all the problems we have on the Island. 

"My main campaign will be trying to draw attention to the Isle of Wight Council and Island Roads about the total disregard to residents by not listening to the impacts all long-term road closures have."

Among David's other priorities are: 

  • Support long-term care services and making more beds available by reopening wards or building new ones
  • Improving care services through better pay for carers.
  • Seeking funding for deprived areas
  • Seeking Level Up Funding for coastal resorts
  • Helping young people to buy their own properties with Government backed guarantees on mortgages 
  • All new builds to have solar panels installed or the equivalent
  • Make the most of our water resources. On the south side of the Island, borehole tests have proved we could become self sufficient
  • Heavy fines to water companies who dump sewage
  • Looking into Cross Solent ferry services and costs
  • Better rail infrastructure by exploring a rail/tram connection to Ventnor and Newport.

See more politics stories by the County Press by clicking here

Who is standing on the Isle of Wight this General Election?

In Isle of Wight West, parliamentary candidates standing are Green Party's Cameron Palin; Ian Pickering, Reform UK candidate; Richard Quigley, of Island Labour; Conservative Bob Seely; Liberal Democrat's Nick Stuart.

For Isle of Wight East, Emily Brothers is standing for Labour; David Groocock is standing as an Independent, Michael Lilley for the Lib Dems; Vix Lowthion for the Green Party; Sarah Morris for Reform UK and Joe Robertson for the Conservatives.