East Wight MP Joe Robertson has invited Prime Minister Andy Burnham to visit the Isle of Wight to hear first-hand about what he describes as ‘Island-specific cost-of-living pressures’, with the cost of crossing the Solent at the centre of his appeal.
The invitation has been issued in an open letter to the Prime Minister, as Mr Burnham undertakes a cost-of-living tour of the UK which has been billed as an opportunity to get out of Westminster and meet people where they are.
Mr Robertson says he welcomes the tour but is concerned that its focus outside London has so far been largely on the North of England.
In his letter, the Isle of Wight East MP points to the opening of ‘Number 10 North’ in Manchester and says Islanders may feel that decision-making and funding are no closer to them as a result.
He also raises concerns about assumptions that the South East is wealthy, arguing that the Isle of Wight faces particular pressures because of its separation from the mainland.
Mr Robertson says a visit would allow the Prime Minister to better understand the additional costs of delivering public services on the Isle of Wight, as well as the difficulties residents can face accessing essential goods and services, running businesses and making choices about education.
However, the East Wight MP reserves his strongest criticism for cross-Solent travel.
Referring to comments from a Downing Street spokesman about consumers being ‘ripped off’, Mr Robertson claims Isle of Wight residents are being let down by the ownership and operation of the Island’s car ferry services.
Joe Robertson MP has said:
“On the Isle of Wight, we as residents and consumers, are being ripped off by private equity interests which own and control our only car ferry services.
“It is beginning to look exactly like Westminster – particularly the Department for Transport – thinks we should accept that as part of life.”
He goes on to argue that no other UK community is entirely reliant on private equity-owned services to take a car more than 20 miles from home, calling for action to make return crossings costing hundreds of pounds ‘a thing of the past’.
The MP also refers to a previous conversation with Mr Burnham during the Railways Bill Committee earlier this year, saying the now-Prime Minister had appeared sympathetic to the transport challenges faced by Islanders.
Joe added:
“You are now in the privileged position to do something about it.
“I hope you will accept this invitation to visit the Isle of Wight and speak to everyday Islanders on the ground and hear about island specific cost-of-living pressures.”
