Yahoo News "I want to get the Island back on the map" says IW West's new MP
"I just want to get on with the job now", the new MP for Isle of Wight West has told the County Press, in his first interview since being elected.
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With a majority of 3,177, Richard Quigley, of Island Labour, defeated former MP Bob Seely, in what was an historic night for the Island.
In doing so, he became the Island's first ever Labour MP and the first IW West MP.
Richard, 52, took 38.5 per cent of the possible votes available, compared to 24.3 per cent in 2019, when the Island wasn't split into two constituencies.
Meanwhile, his Conservative opponent recorded 10,063 votes — a vote share of 29.3 per cent. In 2019, Bob had a vote share of 56.2 per cent.
Speaking to the County Press following his historic victory, Richard Quigley said: "I thought it was going to be neck and neck all the way through.
"A 3,000 majority says people want change. It's clear people have had enough."
The new MP said some of his first tasks will be to look at the ferries and get the Isle of Wight "back on the map".
"We've just been invisible for the last ten years", he said.
"I'm just looking forward to getting on with it".
He said he will also turn his attention to housing and education.
Richard told the County Press his next steps will be to familiarise himself with parliament.
He said: "The whip's office will ring be over the weekend and there will be some discussion as to whether parliament will sit into August.
"I'm looking forward to it. My wife has been absolutely fantastic. We've been just in case planning because you never know."
In message to Bob Seely, Richard said "we may not agree on our politics but I wish him well."
"Politics is brutal", he said.
"I wish him well in whatever he does next and I thank him for the last seven years."
In Isle of Wight East, Conservative Joe Robertson won the seat, defeating second-placed Sarah Morris, of Reform UK.
