Isle Of Wight MP Joe Robertson Meets With Maritime Minister As Ferry Services Push Intensifies

Isle of Wight MP, Joe Robertson, has once again raised the issue of ferry regulation with Government, as part of ongoing efforts to secure more reliable and affordable services for residents.

Tuesday (October 28) saw Conservative MP for Isle of Wight East, Robertson, meet with the new Maritime Minister, Keir Mather MP, to continue discussions on ferry reform.

It follows a separate meeting between the Minister and West Wight MP Richard Quigley last week.

The talks build on commitments made earlier this year by former Maritime Minister Mike Kane, who met the Island’s MPs and ferry operators in Cowes in April.

At that meeting, the Department for Transport pledged to form a task force to explore improvements to the Island’s ferry services — after the Prime Minister admitted in Parliament that current services had “not been good enough.”

Speaking after the latest meeting, Joe Robertson MP said:

“I’m confident the new Minister understands the problem: that we are the only part of the UK completely reliant on unregulated private firms for essential travel.

“We’re not asking for special treatment — just fair treatment.

"Islanders have faced high prices, shrinking timetables and unreliable services for too long.

"If the Department for Transport won’t introduce new ferry regulations, then the Government should hand powers to the new Mayor for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

"I’ve tabled an amendment to the English Devolution Bill to allow that.”

Both the Island’s Conservative and Labour MPs have been working together on the issue since being elected in July 2024.

Mr Robertson added:

“The Minister understands that there’s cross-party agreement locally, and we’re all working together on this.

"This isn’t about party politics — I want the Government to succeed here, but it must act.

"It can’t intervene in trains and buses while ignoring our ferry problem.

“The Minister has agreed to hold regular joint meetings with Richard Quigley and me, which is very welcome.”