By Isle of Wight Observer
Dear Editor,
I wish to commend Isle of Wight East MP, Joe Robertson, for the powerful speech he delivered in Parliament this week. Mr Robertson spoke with passion about an issue that affects every Islander: the cost, reliability, and accountability of the lifeline ferry services.
He explained that, while trains and buses are subject to regulation on pricing, timetables and performance, ferries remain outside any national framework. As he rightly pointed out, this leaves communities, such as ours, at the mercy of private operators who can charge eye-watering sums for a five mile crossing, while reducing frequency and avoiding scrutiny.
Mr Robertson did not shy away from telling Wightlink and Red Funnel exactly what Islanders feel: we are tired of rip off prices and tired of profits being put ahead of passengers. His call for ferries to be treated like other public transport providers is both fair and overdue.
I was born on the Island, but had to move away because the cost and inconvenience of commuting meant that I was unable to live on the Island while working on the mainland. However, my mother and the rest of my family are still on the Island – and as well as the cost of travelling to visit, I see the struggles they have with the sky-high cost of travelling across the Solent.
I urge readers to watch Mr Robertson’s speech. It is rare to hear an MP speak so directly and with such conviction about the daily struggles of his constituents. He deserves support, as does Richard Quigley, the MP in the West Wight, who is also doing his best to make the government aware of the issues.
The only downside is that I fear that only those who are affected will take notice of what he says. The green benches around Mr Robertson were sadly almost empty. Will this government do the same as previous ones and simply ignore our plight?
V Prosser, Southampton
Ed’s note: You can watch Mr Robertson’s speech at iw.observer/house-of-commons.