Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said in the House of Commons this lunchtime (Wednesday) that ferry services to and from the Isle of Wight have ‘not been good enough’, and promises that the Maritime Minister will hold further meetings with Wightlink, Red Funnel and Hovertravel.
Joe Robertson, MP for Isle of Wight East, stood up during today’s Prime Minister’s Questions to ask whether or not the Government agrees that the anomaly surrounding Isle of Wight cross-Solent travel must come to an end.
In his address, Mr Robertson said:
“My constituents on the Isle of Wight are entirely reliant on foreign-owned, debt-laden and unregulated ferry companies for essential travel. But in the United Kingdom public transport is regulated and subsidized.
“Does the Prime Minister agree that the Isle of Wight anomaly must come to an end?
“Will the Government intervene to protect passengers from excessive prices and bad services?”.
In response, Labour’s leader Keir Starmer acknowledged that ferry services have not been good enough.
He said:
“I thank him for raising this. He is right, ferry services for his constituency have simply not been good enough.
“I know that he and my right honourable friend for Isle of Wight West [Richard Quigley] share a commitment to ensuring their constituents receive a better service.
“The Maritime Minister has met with ferry and hovertravel operators, the leader of the council and other stakeholders and there will be further meetings. I will ensure he [Joe Robertson] is kept informed of progress”.
It’s a start,
The start of what, you think the North London dictator cares about the island?
Wrong demograph.
And where is the elusive MP for the West wight on this – Mr Quiqley Squat ?
This exchange took place at Prime Minister’s Questions. Mr Robertson had secured a question slot so was able to ask the question. Both the Island MPs are of one mind on this and are working collaboratively and constructively together to achieve a better outcome for Islanders without playing silly political games or scoring cheap points. I think Islanders should follow their example and refrain from ad hominem attacks on either MP.
His government have simply not been good enough as well, but we are stuck with them for another 4 years.
Not if we all demand a Royal Decree to dissolve the Government.
I have been saying for months that The King should step in and tell them to get it sorted or I will dissolve your government, But it would seem that he gives even less of a shit than they do about us. He’s doing alright and not in the least bit affected by it all
The previous lot did nothing in 14 years to improve the situation. Seeley only started to comment as election time drew close
In six months, what do you expect?
What does Starmer know about the car ferries. Any time he or any of his cronies want to come here, they won’t be pissing about on the ferries, they will come by hellicopter at 3k per hour. That will be the last we will ever hear of it too. Well, we’ve mentioned it, we’ve made them think we care, so don’t need to worry about it any more, they will have forgotten all about it in a couple of weeks. It’s been going on for years and so has the floating bridge escapade, they will do bugger all.
Been spoken about and now will now be totally ignored until another election is due.
As stated earlier very few of them would travel on these ferries and so would not understand the frustrations and annoyances of inept companies and unreliability over the couse of time!
Well done and thank you Mr Robertson!
Anyone know where the other island MP is hiding?
Certainly not replying to emails.
Now he is aware we have got 3 choices of transport to get to and from the Island, he will probably think we are over priviledged, and put some sort of tax on them. They have taxed the shit out of everything else ay!
Has Starmer used them?
Build a Bridge or Tunnel then.
Surely Accounts clerk Rachel could
organise the funds, just charge more taxes
Lol
Starmer, may enlist the ferry service, who deliver thousands of arrivals on our beaches. Added bonus would be the free housing and piles of money he provides.
It was great to see Richard Quigley show up and speak on behalf of WW…
He will only blame it on the previous government. You might just as well sh!t in your best hat if you think he will make any difference.
He wants to improve the ferrys so that he can start moving the illegal refugee invaders into the islands run down hotels.
You might have something there Gem, imagine what it would be like if we had a bridge over here, they would be running across it all night long, with special lighting in case one of them trips and armed guards to protect them in case we object.