Richard Quigley has spoken to Island Echo about his first 12 months in office as MP for Isle of Wight West, highlighting progress on key local issues, a growing influence in Westminster and a renewed focus on long-term economic sustainability for the area.
Island Echo’s Editor Darren Toogood and digital reporter James Rann travelled to the Houses of Parliament in London last Wednesday (16th July) to speak with Mr Quigley about his first year, since taking victory in the 2024 General Election.
Thanks to Richard’s invitation, our day began in the special side gallery of the House of Commons for Prime Minister’s Questions – a weekly ritual of political theatre. From just a few metres away, we watched as Sir Keir Starmer exchanged jabs with Kemi Badenoch and backbenchers fought to be heard.
Richard then guided us through the corridors of Parliament and past the Chapel of St Mary Undercroft where, interestingly, Members of both Houses – and their families – can hold weddings and christenings.
Throughout the tour, we paused regularly to greet MPs, staff and civil servants by name. One notable exchange even saw Richard converse with a parliamentary worker in French, whilst another saw MP Quigley stop to take a photo of a tourist couple, who were visiting the iconic and historic building.
He admitted that adjusting to the scale and structure of Parliament has been a learning curve – including a 10-minute sprint to vote when the bell rings, and navigating the formal traditions of debate. He said:
“It’s not like running a business. We’re not selling fish and chips. All we have is words and actions. The words are easy. Turning them into action takes a team, time, and trust.”
In an unexpected detour, we climbed a narrow staircase and onto the upper gallery of the House of Lords, where a debate was being held on the ownership of the UK’s media – rather apt for us.
After explaining and showing the differences between the Houses, Richard spoke candidly about the pace of politics. He admitted that progress on local issues can feel frustratingly slow but said significant headway has been made:
“Politics feels painfully slow, even though the days are full on. But it’s been a strong first year in terms of engagement and putting the Isle of Wight at the forefront of national discussions.
“Ferries are now a standing topic in Whitehall. It’s taken time, but the Secretary of State and even the Prime Minister are now saying we need to find a solution.”
When we sat down on the Commons Terrace for a pint, with the iconic River Thames as our backdrop, Richard opened up about his key priorities: ferry reform, housing, access to healthcare, SEND education, and employment opportunities for young people. He has also continued to advocate for Zoe’s Law.
One of the most notable shifts over the past year has been the presence of 2 MPs representing the Isle of Wight, following the seat’s boundary split.
“It’s been a good thing,” Mr Quigley said.
“Joe [Robertson] and I work together, and it doesn’t matter that we’re from different parties. I can get into departments as a government MP, and he can challenge from the opposition benches. It gives us more leverage.”
Known around Westminster as ‘Mr Ferries’ – a title we heard bestowed upon Richard in person following an exchange with fellow Labour MP Liam Conlon – Mr Quigley said he brings up the issue at every opportunity. He revealed that both Rachel Reeves and Keir Starmer have acknowledged the situation and expressed a willingness to find solutions, though he emphasised that any fix must address cost, frequency and reliability.
Beyond ferries, Richard highlighted several successes during his first year in Parliament. These include helping to secure a temporary banking hub, working with digital poverty charities, and initiating a long-term project to connect major local employers with education providers.
The aim is to create clearer pathways into well-paid, skilled jobs for Isle of Wight young people who do not go to university, helping to stem the area’s demographic drift towards an ageing population.
Mr Quigley explained:
“We need to raise aspirations and make it clear there’s a route to success on the Isle of Wight. That includes apprenticeships, technical qualifications, and making sure young people see a future here.
“It’s not strictly the job of an MP to create jobs, but it is our role to bring people together. That’s what we’re doing.”
He also acknowledged the challenges of adjusting to parliamentary life – not least the sheer size of the estate and the fast pace of proceedings.
He said:
“It’s a steep learning curve but it’s surprising how accessible ministers are. You catch them in the voting lobby and make your case. That kind of direct contact is one of the most effective tools we have.”
Family man Richard balances his time between Westminster and the Isle of Wight. His typical week begins with the 09:00 ferry on Monday, arriving at Westminster just in time for noon votes, with late finishes most days. He returns home by Thursday or Friday to carry out local constituency work.
He said:
“I try to spend every weekend back on the Isle of Wight. That’s where people stop you in the street, tell you what matters, and where change starts”.
As our visit drew to a close, it was clear that Richard Quigley is deeply invested in delivering for the Isle of Wight – both in Parliament and back home. His first year has laid foundations, but the next will be about turning conversations into concrete change. He concluded:
“There’s still a long way to go but we’ve got momentum now – and everyone in Westminster knows that when I walk into a room, I’m going to talk about the Isle of Wight.”
Whole heap of lies, arrogance. Labour are desperate now, very desperate and will do anything to make you believe what they say.
You really are in a blinkered spite bubble. Did you not read the piece? Has Darren lied too then? He heard and saw it first hand, and reported.
Yes I read it. Blinkered spite bubble, not really I see reality, so it is you who is blinkered.
Only 4 more years to go, the first year went quickly.
What a joke. Absolute waste of space too busy going to parliament instead of looking after his constituents
Ditto the other 650 MPs presumably. Oh, except Nige….he never attends to either.
Well he has had an interesting year. Off to a bad start by voting to take about 300 pounds from every pensioner on the Island by stopping the winter fuel payment. Now he is at last making the right noises about fixing the ferries, but only time will tell if anything meaningful and useful to the Island will ever actually happen. After all, so many promises have been made in the past, but how many have actually been delivered upon?
He’s been making the same noises for the last year, as has JR. Did you think either of them could just snap their fingers and lo, it would be done? Is that how life works for you, appointments granted instantly, all relevant parties trip over themselves to do your bidding, say yes to everything you suggest? I’m imagining you going to, say, your insurance company and saying ‘this is daylight robbery, totally unacceptable’ and them saying ‘so sorry, Mr Islander, here, we’ll cut your premiums by half’.
Deluded much?
You voted labour then. Gullible or what!!!
Best party to vote for is the Freedom party.
Shame that party does not exist.
Too late damage already done.
Pensioners will never forget what was done to them.
The Government needed the pensioners winter fuel
allowance money to pay for the hotels, say no more on
that.
And did you get the fully subsidised meal and drinks at the bar?