THE 'OneWight’ battle to retain a single MP for the Isle of Wight arrives at the doors of Number 10, Downing Street, on Monday.
Campaigners, backed by the County Press, are presenting a copy of the on-line petition to the office of the prime minister, David Cameron. Later in the day, a paper copy of the petition, which so far has attracted 16,000 signatures, will be put before Parliament by Island MP Andrew Turner.
But a letter, which has been obtained by the County Press and sent by the office of the deputy prime minister, Nick Clegg, has appeared to rule out a change of heart from the government over its plans to split the Island constituency.
In the letter, Mr Clegg’s office says that, unlike the Scottish Islands, which have been granted an exemption to the proposed reforms, any exemption for the Isle of Wight would result in electors here being 'under-represented’.
The letter goes on: "The Boundary Commission would, therefore, not have discretion to make an exemption for the whole of the Isle of Wight, as in the past. The principle of fairness in elections underlying the revised rules is fundamental and the government is determined to ensure votes have more equal weight."
Mr Turner said he would be raising the issue during Monday’s debate.
He said: "The deputy prime minister appears to accept it is OK for the Scottish Islands to be over-represented but does not seem open to looking at the Isle of Wight’s unique circumstances. I have written him a detailed letter asking him to address a number of points and have yet to receive a reply."
OneWight campaign co-ordinator Ian Ward urged as many people as possible to return signed petitions before Monday.
He said: "Getting more than 16,000 supporters in a few weeks has been challenging but it demonstrates the high level of support we have found."
Reporter: davidn@iwcpmail.co.uk