PRIME MINISTER DECLARES TO MP ‘I NEED TO FIND A SOLUTION TO YOUR FERRIES’
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has acknowledged the need to tackle the Isle of Wight’s ferry challenges during an exchange with Richard Quigley MP in Westminster, Island Echo can reveal.
Island Echo was alerted to the development thanks to a nudge from award-winning community radio station Vectis Radio, whose presenters spoke to Richard during a recent visit to Parliament.
During our own visit to the Houses of Parliament this week (more on that to follow), we spoke directly with the Isle of Wight West MP to clarify what was said between him and the Labour leader.
On the exchange, Richard Quigley has said:
“I spoke to him following the second reading of the welfare bill and at the end of the chat, he said ‘I do need to find a solution to the issue of your ferries’. I simply said yes.
“He asked me to take him through the issues and the solutions and I said I’ll probably need half a day to which he replied, ‘It’d be a great thing to do for your constituents’.
“I think that’s come about through me and Joe (Isle of Wight East MP) not stopping, Joe bringing it up all the time in the chamber and me constantly talking to Heidi Alexander (Secretary of State for Transport) about it because her language has very much changed. She gets it. She’s of the same opinion. We need to do something about it”.
The remark from Sir Keir comes amid increasing scrutiny of cross-Solent operators and growing calls for change. Islanders have long raised concerns over the affordability, reliability and lack of competition in ferry services linking the Isle of Wight to the mainland.
In April, the Department for Transport (DfT) confirmed it would begin looking at the pricing structures, timetables and overall reliability of ferry services. This followed a key roundtable meeting in Cowes, attended by industry leaders, councillors and government officials.
Last month, the issue gained further traction during the Island Echo/IW Observer State of the Island Debate, where stakeholders renewed calls for a public service obligation (PSO) to be introduced.
Island Echo gives special thanks to our friends at Vectis Radio for their help with this story.
