Joe Robertson MP has brought the issue of cross-Solent ferries back to the fore this week, raising the long-established concerns of Isle of Wight residents, who face increasingly high costs and unreliable services, during Prime Minister’s Questions.
As first reported by Island Echo, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has acknowledged that Isle of Wight ferries are ‘simply not good enough’. These damning words were said in response to a straight-talking question put forward by Joe, the Isle of Wight East MP, on Wednesday.
It was made clear that, unlike other UK public transport, Isle of Wight ferries operate without regulation or subsidy, leaving residents and businesses at the mercy of foreign-owned, debt-laden, private operators.
Joe says he has committed to continuing to urge Government to take decisive action to ensure that Isle of Wight ferry users are afforded the same protections and support as other UK public transport users, working cross-party with Richard Quigley – MP for Isle of Wight West.
Addressing the Prime Minister directly, Joe Robertson MP said:
“My constituents on the Isle of Wight are entirely reliant on foreign-owned, debt-laden, unregulated ferry companies for essential travel. But in the United Kingdom, public transport is regulated and subsidised- like buses, trains, or Scottish ferries.
“Does the Prime Minister agree with me this Isle of Wight anomaly must come to an end? And will the Government intervene in order to protect passengers from excessive ferry prices and bad services?
In response to Joe’s Question, Keir Starmer MP, the Prime Minister said:
“Well, I thank him for raising this. And he’s right. The ferry services for his constituents have simply not been good enough. And I know that both he and my honourable friend, the member for the Isle of Wight West, share a commitment to ensuring their constituents receive a better service.
“The Maritime Minister has met the ferry and hovercraft operators, the Leader of the Council and other stakeholders. There will be further meetings, and I’ll make sure that he is fully informed by the Minister of the progress on this issue for his Constituents.”
Commenting after PMQs, Mr Robertson said:
“The Prime Minister says Isle of Wight ferry services are not good enough. On the Island, we are united in agreement
“We must bring an end to the Isle of Wight anomaly where residents are reliant on unregulated, debt-laden private companies for essential travel.”
I am glad that Joe Robertson is doing something as my MP Richard Quigley does not seem to be doing anything either about the ferries or devolution
Well said
Does Dick’s leader let his MPs speak.
I thought they were muzzled up!
Joe is by far a better politician.
All words and no substance, do you trust Heir Starmer to do anything, nope.
He has acknowledged there’s a problem, which is more than any Tory Prime Minister has ever done.
My son lives and works in the Great Smoke
fortunately he lives within the congestion charge
zone, so he only has to pay 10% to drive his car
through London. £1.50 daily charge.
His colleagues who live outside of the congestion
charge zone have to pay the full £15.00 daily charge.
Why can’t persons living on the island who are
surrounded by water get similar discounts!
Being retired I rarely go off the island, but it’s
enough for one to move back to the Fylde Coast.
If you’re not happy here, we’re not stopping you.
Both Island MPs are on the same page and working together to address this issue. If they can co-operate to deliver a better deal for their constituents I think it ill-behoves individuals to play silly party politics over the matter.