Dear Editor,

In order to make progress in Parliament it is important to make an impression, and what better way than to use humour? In this respect it was great to see Richard Quigley, MP for the West Wight nail his colours to the mast.

During the Passenger Railway Services debate Richard spoke up and was immediately asked by the Speaker if he had been there from the beginning of the debate, to which he replied ‘No’. He went on to say that he was tempted to say his train was late, but that would be untrue. The chamber erupted with laughter. Richard was commended by the Speaker for his honesty and went on to raise the issue of the ferries, suggesting that if the Minister, Louise Haigh, could find a solution she would be a heroine and a bronze statue of her might be erected on the seafront of Cowes.

Louise said she thought Richard would raise the issue of the ferries since he texts her so regularly on the subject. She gave Richard assurances that the new model of public ownership of the railways will not only deliver better services but also a far better settlement for taxpayers who have been ripped off under the previous model for far too long. I’m firing up my furnace in anticipation!

Hans Bromwich, Cowes