By Isle of Wight Observer
Isle of Wight East MP, Joe Robertson, has challenged restrictions which have been placed on what he can raise at cross-Solent ferry transport meetings, which have been organised by the government and start next month.
Speaking in the House of Commons yesterday (Thursday), he told Maritime Minister, Keir Mather, that he had received a letter outlining subjects he was “not allowed to discuss”, including ticketing and reliability evidence stretching back more than a decade. He told MPs “the world didn’t start in 2016” and insisted he would not be instructed on how best to represent his constituents.
The minister responded by acknowledging Mr Robertson’s right to raise historic concerns. He said earlier evidence was relevant, particularly around the introduction of dynamic pricing before 2010, and agreed that comparing its long term impact on fares would be important for the work ahead. The Minister also thanked Mr Robertson for his contribution and said he hoped all relevant material would inform the forthcoming discussions on ferry services.
The last detailed examination of Island ferry issues was the 2009 submission to the Office of Fair Trading, by the then MP, Andrew Turner.
