Labour retreating from renationalising trains

You wonder if this represents a retreat from her earlier more positive response to the Rebuilding Rail report published on behalf of the main rail unions Aslef, RMT, TSSA and Unite.

The report called for Labour to make a number of commitments that include using money saved from reintegration to lower fares, awarding no new franchises, reviewing all existing franchises to assess whether they should be bought out and campaigning against the European Commission's intention for member states to open domestic passenger services to competition.

With rail fares set to rise in January 2013 by inflation plus 3 per cent - in effect, up to 11 per cent depending on the franchise terms - Labour are clearly missing a trick here.

Even Tory MPs are waking up to the impact of fare rises on their constituents and those in marginal seats with significant commuter populations appear to be getting decidedly nervous.

With no prospect in sight of an end to this grossly unfair squeeze on commuters, people are justifiably angry.

The case for renationalisation is well understood. A publicly owned, integrated rail network would deliver a better service, cost the taxpayer and commuters less and avoid excessive profiteering generated by privatisation.

Every reason for Labour to be bolder and for voters to act accordingly.

Chris Guiton
Crowborough