Isle of Wight Tory MP calls for ferry pricing regulation introduced by SNP in 2008 to transform Scottish island economies and then be forgotten by the ungrateful among them

Professor John Robertson OBA From the Independent last week: Ferries which connect island communities to mainland Britain are in decline, an MP has warned in his push to bring boats more in line with buses and trains. Joe Robertson said the Isle of Wight’s 140,400 residents have little say over how ferries are run across the Solent to Hampshire. He has tabled the Ferry Services (Integration and Regulation) Bill which, if agreed, would set up a framework for regulating boat routes throughout the country. Bus and train operators must follow several laws, such as the new Bus Services Act this month, which gives councils the … Continue reading Isle of Wight Tory MP calls for ferry pricing regulation introduced by SNP in 2008 to transform Scottish island economies and then be forgotten by the ungrateful among them

Shocking contrast between customer satisfaction with CalMac and British Columbia Ferries with latter often screamed at, spat on or threatened due to poor performance

Professor John Robertson OBA From the Times Colonist on 10 October 2025: The union representing B.C. Ferries workers says its members are facing “disturbing” levels of abuse from passengers. A survey of B.C. Ferry and Marine Workers’ Union members indicated that more than 80 per cent of respondents said they have been threatened with violence on the job, and 92 per cent said they have witnessed it. The union released the results of its survey as the Thanksgiving weekend got underway in what is expected to be one of the year’s busiest for ferry travellers. Behind every sailing is a crew doing … Continue reading Shocking contrast between customer satisfaction with CalMac and British Columbia Ferries with latter often screamed at, spat on or threatened due to poor performance

Channel Island’s ferry kills three fishermen after underpaid Ukrainian crew with little English failed to understand and respond to warning lights then another hits harbour wall in high winds – Imagine that was in Scotland

Support Talking-up Scotland’s work to counter the lies and get you the facts, daily, at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/checkout/help-talking-up-scotland-tell-truth-about-scotland/payment/nBQxjVzq/details or by direct bank transfer method – Sort code 08-91-04, Account 12266421 Professor John Robertson OBA From ITV News, two days ago: Warnings were flashing on a Condor Ferry for up to 10 minutes before a collision with a much smaller fishing boat that killed three people, the prosecution has told Jersey’s Royal Court. In his opening statement, Crown Advocate Matthew Maletroit says the ferry – which is 184 times larger than the L’Ecume II trawler – was left in autopilot and travelling at full speed at the … Continue reading Channel Island’s ferry kills three fishermen after underpaid Ukrainian crew with little English failed to understand and respond to warning lights then another hits harbour wall in high winds – Imagine that was in Scotland

Chaos for drivers and passengers as both of Isle of Wight privatised ferry services suffer breakdowns and cancel key services despite higher fares

The Talking-up Scotland fund raiser primarily, finishing in 7 days, to enable the recruitment of some research assistance, in order to take pressure off me [74 in June and tiring] and hopefully to further improve the blog, has made a good start. To contribute, only if you can (!) go to: Talking-up Scotland – a Politics crowdfunding project in Ayr by Professor John Robertson By Professor John Robertson OBA, former Faculty Research Ethics Chair, UWS Red Funnel and Wightlink, above, provide ferry services to the Isle of Wight from the South of England. In January 2025: Sir Keir Starmer: Isle of Wight ferries … Continue reading Chaos for drivers and passengers as both of Isle of Wight privatised ferry services suffer breakdowns and cancel key services despite higher fares