Island MPs already working together to tackle ferry companies
Both Island MPs have met with the new government’s front bench to highlight the increasing issues Islanders face with cross-Solent ferries.
Joe Robertson MP (Isle of Wight East) and Richard Quigley MP (Isle of Wight West) both promised at the election to work together on one of the biggest issues raised by Islanders. They have already demonstrated their willingness to work together for the benefit of the Island by spending their first few weeks in Westminster raising the issue with representatives of the new Labour government.
Joe Robertson who met with Louise Haigh, Secretary of State for Transport, said: “I pressed the case for government intervention in cross-Solent transport so that we are no longer beholden to an unregulated market where making money for shareholders is the primary objective. The Labour Government will be nationalising the railways via an integrated transport bill so this is an excellent opportunity to look at regulating ferries. The Secretary of State appeared genuinely receptive to the idea of including ferry services in her plans.”
Whilst Richard Quigley, who has been liaising with Louise’s team over the last six months, took the opportunity to make the Secretary of State for Business and Trade aware of the problem.
Mr Quigley said: “Whilst not specifically a problem for Jonathan Reynolds and his team, he was shocked to hear of the increasing problems and cost of crossing the Solent. I explained that unreliable and expensive ferry travel has become a barrier to opportunity for individuals, but it is also affecting businesses. The new Labour government has a bold industrial strategy and the Island needs to be part of it.”
Mr Quigley added: “We’ve said all along that two voices in Westminster, speaking up for the Island, will be better than one. The growing issues with the ferries are too big to let party politics get in the way. There’ll be plenty of other issues we approach differently.”
Joe added, “With a new government sitting on a large Parliamentary majority, and two MPs working together, we have the best chance of finally dealing with the ferries in a way that is fair for residents.”
