Government open to solutions for Isle of Wight ferry services, says Richard Quigley MP (updated)
Isle of Wight West’s MP Richard Quigley secured a meeting on Wednesday (11th September 2024) with the Minister for Aviation, Maritime and Security, Mike Kane MP. Among his portfolio, Mr Kane is the minister responsible for maritime and maritime accessibility.
Mr Quigley MP was invited to the minister’s London office to sit down and talk about the ferry links to the Island. It was the first time the pair had met, so the MP for Isle of Wight West took the opportunity to fully brief the minister on the increasing issues of cross Solent travel and the failure of successive conservative governments to take the issue seriously.
“The Minister and I discussed the increasing issues with ferry travel to and from the Island at length. And we also discussed the need to find solutions.”
He added,
“The good thing is that both the Minister and those at the Department for Transport are, for the first time, not only aware of the issues Islanders face but are actually on our side. They’re open to helping find a solution.”
He has also raised the issue with Secretary of State (SoS) for Transport, Louise Haigh MP.
“The SoS and I have built a really good working relationship, and I’ve got good rapport with her team too. They get it. They get how issues with cross Solent travel have become a barrier to the Island and a barrier to opportunity for Islanders.”
Progress is being made
The MP came away from the meeting quietly confident that progress is being made.
“I’m under no illusion this will be a quick fix. But there’s a noticeable difference in the positive attitude of this government to the previous one.”
Quigley: Ministers have been receptive to my meeting requests
The MP added,
“It helps to have a good profile in parliament and ministers have been receptive to my meeting requests since I became an MP.
“So, I’ll continue to press the matter at every opportunity I get.”
The member for Isle of Wight West also took the opportunity to highlight ferries and cross Solent travel multiple times in his maiden which he made in the House of Commons Chamber on Wednesday evening.
