Fortifications of the Isle of Wight Fortifications of the Isle of Wight Many forts and fortifications have been built to protect the Isle of Wight (South England) from foreign invasion. Throughout history the island has been a site of key military importance. Controlling both entrances to the Solent and the home of the Royal Navy, Portsmouth. This is a list of most of the fortifications on the island. The Palmerston Forts are forts built during the Victorian era. The name comes from their association with Lord Palmerston, who was the Prime Minister of the time and promoted the idea. The structures were built as a response
Politics of the Isle of Wight collated regionally prior to MEPs being assigned under the closed list proportional representation system." Turnout on the Isle of Wight was 43,709 on an electorate of 109,796 (39.81%) The results of the 2004 European election on the Isle of Wight were as follows. "The following results are exclusively for the Isle of Wight; results are collated regionally prior to MEPs being assigned under the closed list proportional representation system." Regionally, turnout was 36.5% on an electorate of 6,087,103. For many years, there has been debate over whether or not a bridge or tunnel should connect the island with mainland Britain.