The Isle of Wight's MP has said sorry for the way the Conservative Party has been acting over the last few weeks, but insists he'll keep on working for the Island.
Bob Seely admits it has been a turbulent time following the resignation of Prime Minister, Liz Truss.
Her resignation came just a little over 24 hours after she told MPs she was a 'fighter, not a quitter'.
Ms Truss' time in office was dominated by market chaos, prompted by the mini-budget that was announced by former chancellor, Kwasi Kwarteng - who was then sacked.
Bob Seely speaks to Isle of Wight Radio
Mr Seely says the Conservatives now need 'unity' and has pledged to support whoever becomes PM - with Portsmouth North MP, Penny Mordaunt, his preferred choice.
Mr Seely said:
"I’m sorry to see the Prime Minister go. She has done the honourable thing and acted in the national interest.
"I supported Penny Mordaunt in the summer, and I’ll support her in the coming election now, should she choose to stand. Penny is a Portsmouth MP and knows the Solent area, and indeed the Island, well. I hope Penny will win, but whoever wins, the Conservative Party must pull together for the sake of the country.
"I remain entirely focused on the Island. While the Prime Minister was making her resignation statement, I was speaking in the House of Commons to ensure Government agree minimum service levels to be applied to our cross-Solent ferries in upcoming legislation.
"I will continue to deliver a better deal for the Island, whatever comes."
Mr Seely continued:
"Working with others, we’ve got well over £120m of additional investment in the past few years. That includes a £48m investment in the NHS, around £50m for Island Line and Ryde railway pier, nearly £6m for a heavy lift ship crane at East Cowes to help Island shipbuilding, and £20m for Isle of Wight College to go from strength to strength.
"I also made sure that the Island was a priority funding area for the Arts Council, we’ve got a road policing unit back on the Island, and the Government accepted my suggestion that it establish an Island’s Forum to enable UK islands to have single voice with Government.
"In addition, working with the previous Council, we secured the future of shipbuilding on the Island by ensuring that the Council buy the Columbine ‘Union Jack’ building at a price it could afford.
"We’ve managed to deliver a great deal to the Island, but there is always more to do, and I will keep on ensuring that we get a better deal for the Island."
PCC Urges People To Hand In Blades To Curb Knife Crime Epidemic
Isle Of Wight Council Signs Tobacco Control Declaration In Commitment To Smoke-Free Future
Hoarding Removed From Ryde Interchange To Reveal Smart Glazed Exterior
Levelling Up Minister Pays Visit To Isle Of Wight To Address £20m Ryde Investment Plans
HRH The Princess Royal Meets East Wight Primary School Children Learning To Sail In Seaview
Maritime Units Heading For Isle Of Wight Armed Forces Day
Funding Boost For Council Chairman's Chosen Charity
Medina Way Works In Place This Sunday
Islander Georgie To Star On BBC1's Great British Sewing Bee
Labour's West Wight Candidate Outlines Island Plan
Scam Warnings Issued For Isle Of Wight
Islanders Invited To Take Part In Charity Fire Walk For St Catherine’s
New Company To Bid For Digital Radio Licence On The Isle Of Wight
Police Respond To Anti-Social Behaviour Involving Electric Motorbikes In Puckpool
New Records Set Following ‘Extraordinary’ Walk The Wight
Appeal Launched Following Ryde Cashpoint Theft
Islanders Urged To Make Sure They're 'Emergency Ready'
Cast Your Vote For New Sea Defence Scheme To Win People's Choice Award
Operation Sceptre - A Number Of Surrender Bins Across Isle Of Wight
Man Jailed For Ryde Burglary And Knife Offences
