Young voters who may receive an unstamped letter from Island MP Andrew Turner asking for their views are being reassured they will not be out of pocket as a result.

They are being invited to get a refund from the IW Conservative Association. The problem surfaced when a young voter contacted Mr Turner and said she was asked to pay £1.30 for a letter which had not been stamped.

A letter was sent out to young people on the Island who have turned 18 since the last General Election, outlining how important the coming election will be for them, and asking them to fill in a questionnaire to give Mr Turner their views on a number of local and national issues.

Some 4,300 letters were organised and paid for by the Conservative Association and a number of volunteers were involved in folding them, inserting them into envelopes and putting on stamps. It is thought a small number may have slipped through with unstamped envelopes.

Mr Turner apologised for the error and said :

“I am very grateful to the many volunteers who give up their time to help me - many hands make light work. I am very sorry if on this occasion any other letters have slipped through the net without a stamp, and rather than say nothing I wanted to make it clear that anybody who has to pay a surcharge can claim the money back.

“I remain very keen to hear the views of younger people; they represent the future of our country. I have put the questionnaire on line at www.thewightcounts.org.uk and hope that many younger Islanders up to the age of 25 will take the opportunity to complete it.”

People who want a refund should either return their envelope to the Conservative Association offices at 58 The Mall, Carisbrooke Road, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 1BW or in person between 8am and 1.30pm.

END Contact : Andrew Turner’s office 01983 530808