The government must get a grip on the P&O emergency

The loss of P&O capacity will do great harm to the UK (not withstanding the harm the sackings have done to the workers).

Government needs to take control of P&O ships and systems (perhaps through nationalisation) and enable them to operate once again.

The government can act under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 and make emergency regulations if it is satisfied that:

• An emergency has occurred, is occurring or is about to occur
• It is necessary to make provision for the purpose of preventing, controlling or mitigating an aspect or effect of the emergency
• The need for the provision is urgent.

Therefore, government needs to declare a state of emergency and invoke the Act due to the harm done to our international trade and the food shortages that might occur particularly in Northern Ireland. It could then issue regulations accordingly to take control of P&O.

This will stop immediate harm to the UK, the workers and remove the impression that has gained ground that the UK is a soft touch.

It would be particularly galling at a time when we are sending supplies of all kinds to Ukraine and Eastern European Nato States, if a reduction in surface transport capacity had a material effect on either the defence of Ukraine or the welfare of its people.