Isle of Wight ferries should have minimum service levels says MP

On another day of turmoil at Westminster, and while Prime Minister Liz Truss was making her resignation statement, Mr Seely was speaking to Leader of the House of Commons Penny Mordaunt, about the cross-Solent ferries.

Ms Mordaunt, a Portsmouth MP, was receptive and gave a positive response, Mr Seely told the County Press this afternoon.

My messaging is consistent, Bob Seely says

He said his messaging was consistent in wanting to guarantee levels of service across The Solent, to ensure minimum services due to Islanders having no alternatives.

•  Read more: Bob Seely explains his fracking vote

"I am hopeful," he said. "It's yet another thing I am pushing for."

Bob Seely's statement, in full

In a statement, he said: "I remain entirely focused on the Island. While the Prime Minister was making her resignation statement, I was speaking in the House of Commons to ensure Government agree minimum service levels to be applied to our cross-Solent ferries in upcoming legislation.

"I will continue to deliver a better deal for the Island, whatever comes.

• Read more: I'm sorry to see Liz Truss go says Island MP
• Read more: When Liz Truss visited the Isle of Wight
• Read more: Liz Truss resigns as Prime Minister

"Working with others, we’ve got well over £120 million of additional investment in the past few years. That includes a £48m investment in the NHS, around £50m for Island Line and Ryde railway pier, nearly £6m for a heavy lift ship crane at East Cowes to help Island shipbuilding and £20m for Isle of Wight College to go from strength to strength.

"I also made sure that the Island was a priority funding area for the Arts Council, we’ve got a road policing unit back on the Island, and the Government accepted my suggestion that it establish an Island’s Forum to enable UK islands to have single voice with Government.

"In addition, working with the previous Council, we secured the future of shipbuilding on the Island by ensuring the Council buy the Columbine ‘Union Jack’ building at a price it could afford.

"We’ve managed to deliver a great deal to the Island, but there is always more to do, and I will keep on ensuring that we get a better deal for the Island."