Isle of Wight East Conservative MP, Joe Robertson, has hit out at what he says is an attempt to limit debate in forthcoming ferry meetings.
MP challenges restrictions in Commons
In Parliament’s last sitting day before recess, Mr Robertson told maritime minister Keir Mather, that he would not be told what he, “can and can not say” during those meetings.
With reference to an unspecified letter he received which allegedly sought to restrict topics for discussion and the submission of evidence over ten years old, Mr Robertson added,
“I am sure [the minister] understands that the world did not start in 2016.”
The exchange in the House of Commons was in anticipation of a series of local meetings the Department for Transport has promised in order to find locally led solutions to the Island’s ferries issues following a ministerial visit to Cowes in April of last year.
Monthly meetings to begin in September
Brian Johnson, formally of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, has been appointed to chair monthly meetings due to commence in September which will include representatives from the three cross-Solent transport operators, the Island’s two MPs, Council Leader and a representative from Solent Transport Users Group.
Minister’s response
During the final round of oral questions to the secretary of state for transport before the Commons broke for the summer, the maritime minister responded by saying he hoped evidence of pricing prior to 2010 would be, “factored in to the ongoing work” and agreed that the East Wight MP, “knows best how to represent his constituents on these important matters.”
Exchange in full
Joe Robertson asked in full,
“I thank the Minister for pausing the MCA’s brutal decision about coastguard rescue officers, and for convening meetings on cross-Solent ferry transport to the Isle of Wight, which will start next month.
“It is of some concern, however, that I have received a letter – not from him – telling me certain things that I was not allowed to discuss, including evidence of ticketing and reliability going back more than 10 years.
“I am sure he understands that the world did not start in 2016, and I will not be told by anyone how to best represent my constituents, or what I can or cannot say.”
The Minister responded,
“The hon. Gentleman of course knows best how to represent his constituents on these important matters.
“I believe that the dynamic he is pointing to is the dynamic of when dynamic pricing was introduced prior to 2010, and the need to be able to compare and contrast the impact of that on pricing.
“Evidence about that is of course important, and I hope it is factored into the ongoing work.”
What happens next
The round table meetings are scheduled to run for the rest of 2026 with conclusions to be presented to the minister for further consideration.
News shared by the office of Joe Robertson, in their own words. Ed
