REGARDING Wightlink ferries and the lack of a consistent service, I believe the issue dates back to Margaret Thatcher’s early forays into privatisation.

At the time Wightlink’s forerunner Sealink was part of British Railways and ran — like trains — to a timetable irrespective of the number of passengers or vehicles actually travelling.

READ MORE: Chaotic Isle of Wight ferry no good for hospital appointments

It was clearly intended to provide a reliable service which connected the Isle of Wight to the mainland.

I’m led to believe that the sale of Sealink to Sea Containers was an experiment — designed to test the sale of public assets and the first in what would become an avalanche of privatisation.

READ MORE: Isle of Wight needs better service from ferry firm Wightlink

Unfortunately one thing that those drawing up the necessary legal documents (perhaps conveniently) forgot was to include a public service obligation.

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