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LABOUR will fast-track its pledge to put some of Britain’s railways back in public hands if the party wins May’s election, shadow transport secretary Michael Dugher has said.
Mr Dugher promised “the public sector will be running sections of our rail network as soon as we can do that” in an interview with the New Statesman published today.
Rail unions said it signalled that Labour is prepared to go beyond its current policy and end privatisation.
The party announced plans in July to allow public-sector operators to compete “on a level playing field” with privateers to run franchises.
But Mr Dugher has indicated he could be set to do away with the entire franchising system, saying: “Privatisation was a disaster for the railways.
“I’m adamant about putting the whole franchising system, as it stands today, in the bin.
“I’m going to be honest and proud about this: I want there to be more public control of the railways and we should just say it because, actually, that’s what the public think as well.”
Full rail renationalisation commands 60 per cent public support and 80 per cent among Labour voters, according to the latest YouGov poll on the issue.
And TSSA rail union leader Manuel Cortes said Labour’s move showed the party was “not just listening to the public but most importantly, they are willing act to defend their interests.
“Scrapping failed rail privatisation is a clear vote winner,” he said.
“Passengers are sick to their back teeth of paying the highest fares in Europe whilst greedy shareholders laugh all the way to the bank.
“Thankfully, Michael Dugher is now promising to end this scandal.”
The Barnsley East MP insisted his plans would not see a return to the “70s or ’80s British rail model” — but said he was ready to make “some really big changes.”
He said “piecemeal” regulation in response to tragic events, such as the Hatfield rail crash when rail maintenance was made public, was inadequate.
“I think we’ve got to make the starting point that privatisation was a mess,” added Mr Dugher.
Experts say much of Britain’s rail network can be brought back into public ownership over the course of the next parliament as franchise deals with privateers expire.
