Isle of Wight politicians have now had time to digest the proposal to the Government Review on transport submitted by Isle of Wight MP, Bob Seely and leader of the Isle of Wight council, Dave Stewart.
The proposal calls for funding to be made available for a new regulatory and governance model for existing cross-Solent connectivity (see full details here and response from ferry companies).
Quigley: “I’d be happy to let them copy my homework”
Richard Quigley (pictured left), Chair of the Isle of Wight Labour Party, told News OnTheWight,
“We would all welcome action on the ferries, indeed just over a year ago, the Labour Party was calling for regulation in the form of a nationalised ferry service.
“At the time, neither Bob or Dave agreed with me, though I don’t know how they voted, so I could be wrong.
“Should they need a hand with any other policies that benefit the Island and Islanders, I’d be happy to let them copy my homework.”
Lowthion: I commend them for their honesty
Vix Lowthion (pictured right), Chair of the Isle of Wight Green Party, told News OnTheWight,
“The Coronavirus crisis has shone the light on the failure of successive national governments in the last forty years – both Conservative and Labour – to invest in our national public services (such as the NHS) and also vital local services, such as our Isle of Wight ferries.
“It is essential for these critical services to be sustainable by introducing a formal public obligation in terms of legislation or subsidies. When the Westminster government sold off the whole of Sealink for £66million in 1984 they failed to put the necessary measures in place to support island communities such as ours.
“Dave Stewart and Bob Seely are completely correct in pointing out that their years of support for outsourcing transport and other public services to completely private businesses is an absolute failure for the residents of the Isle of Wight, and I commend them for their honesty. They were wrong on this, like they are wrong on so many other issues.”
Lowthion: Green Party called for a similar proposal in 2015
Ms Lowthion added,
“Back in 2015 the IW Green Party called for a similar proposal to Westminster for increased regulation, subsidies or nationalisation of our ferries, and we were alone in this demand. However we were supported by over 9,000 Islander votes.
“Progress comes from being clear about what is necessary, keeping your values, and building support through a determination to get the changes which will improve lives in our community.”
Liberal Democrats: Echoes what Liberal Democrats have being saying for many years
Nick Stuart (pictured centre), the Chair of the Isle of Wight LibDems, told News OnTheWight,
“We welcome their submission setting out possible approaches to the problem of unregulated lifeline ferry services to the Isle of Wight. Clearly the pandemic and the issues raised have focused minds on the long existing issues with the missing public service obligations on the private ferry companies. This echoes what the Liberal Democrats and others have being saying for many years.
“In November 2020, Liberal Democrat councillor, Andrew Garratt, raised the issue of public service obligation and regulation in a question to the leader of the Isle of Wight Council during the Full Council meeting of November 2020.
Cllr Garratt comments: “It is good to see the MP and leader of the council come on board with those of us who have long called for a review of cross-Solent transport provision, and consideration of options that include public service obligation.”
“In my own discussions with the two main ferry companies it was clear that their primary consideration was to their investors. Although the companies recognise that those interests are supported if they provide a decent service they still maintain a fare structure where any monetary benefits flow to their investors. However, that is not to fault the general operational effectiveness of the ferry companies whose staff work hard and diligently to provide a service. Indeed, the efforts to look to local suppliers, to provide training and employment, and address environmental impacts and opportunities are to be commended.
“We all know the major Ferry companies have been the subject of repeated financial engineering that has loaded debt onto the companies leading to high ferry fares and reduced services. This has been sharply obvious during this pandemic. While this is a problem stemming from the botched privatisation of British Rail in the 1990s we have to recognise the current position and attempt to improve from where we are now.
“Isle of Wight Liberal Democrats have repeatedly raised the unique Island issues, of which ferry services are only one, highlighting the contrast with the regulation, public service obligations and direct support that underpin the services for Scottish islands.
“To assist this review submission, and discussions the MP and Council leader have with their Conservative Colleagues in Government, we suggest the following.
“Firstly consult the Island. The Island public have become resigned to the current position having seen no central or local Government action over many years. However, there are people with serious transport and financial expertise, while others have links to political, business and professional groups that could provide assistance.
“Secondly consult with other parts of the Solent region such as Portsmouth and Southampton. They all have an interest in an Isle of Wight that is closely allied with the towns and cities of the Solent region. Having reached out to leaders in those areas I can tell you they are interested in avoiding the isolation seen by Islanders; and keen on improving cross Solent links for business culture, and environmental opportunities.”
Article edit
9.50am 11th January 2021 – Statement from LibDems added
