By Mal Butler
Two new MPs, two different parties, one common aim – getting to grips with the Island’s ferry issues.
As Richard Quigley (Labour – West Wight) and Joe Robertson (Conservative – East Wight) made their first visit to the House of Commons as MPs this week, they both spoke about their hopes for the Island.
For Richard, he admitted it was his first time there, saying: “It’s exciting, but the first thing I noticed was how incredibly organised things are. I’ve already got a laptop, iPhone and panic alarm!
“It’s an efficient machine here, and it’s also the happiest workplace I’ve ever been in. If you ask someone a question about where something is, they don’t just answer it, they take you to wherever you want to go and show you.
“I will have to take a tour around the place, but it’s phenomenal – the Palace of Westminster is amazing, although there are some places which are desperately in need of repairs!”
Looking ahead to the task in hand, he added: “From an Island point of view, it’s the ferries. It’s become apparent, very quickly, that to everyone here, the Island is invisible. I have to let people know who we are and push that point home.
“I’m happy to work with Joe on the ferries, because that is so important to us – as for nationally? I think one of the main items on the agenda will be the NHS, so there is a lot going on to keep me busy.”
Joe has visited the Commons before, but, going behind the scenes, was still taken aback by its sheer size. The parliamentary estate extends over eight acres with 1,000 rooms, 100 staircases and more than three miles of corridors.
He said: “It’s like being back at school, but in a good way. I’ve been here lots of times, but never worked here. There is a labyrinth of corridors and they all look the same!
“But as long as you know the main bits and how to get to the Commons Chamber it will be all right.
“I’m here to represent the East Wight and I’m their person right at the heart of the decision-making of our country.
“The ferries are top of my agenda; the solution only lies with Government regulation. The ferry companies themselves won’t bring in the type of changes that are needed – bringing down prices, expanding the timetable and improving reliability.”
The duo’s first official task was to vote for the new speaker, but it was an easy decision to make, as there was no opposition to Sir Lindsay Hoyle, who was returned unopposed.
Next up was to be sworn in on Wednesday, although Joe added: “First there are members of the Cabinet, then other ministers. As I’m new, I’ll be pretty much at the end of the line.”
Hopefully, they will both be at the front of the queue when it comes to sorting out our ferries.
Isle of Wight Observer