By Stefan Boscia
Labour has re-committed to nationalising the railways if it forms government after the next election.
Shadow transport secretary Louise Haigh told the Labour party conference in Liverpool today that “the days of tinkering around the edges of a system that so clearly failed the public are over”.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer committed to nationalising rail, mail, energy and water during his 2020 leadership push.
He has dropped plans to bring the utilities and mail under public ownership, but is ploughing ahead with his plan to nationalise the railways.
It comes as the UK is already moving away from the franchise model, with the government currently exerting much more power over the railways at any time since they were privatised in the 90s.
Haigh said: “An incoming Labour government will end this farce. We will end this failed experiment. We will cast aside the tired dogma that has failed passengers.
“We will improve services and lower fares. And yes conference, Labour in power will bring our railways back into public ownership where they belong.”
Haigh complained about the service of Avanti West Coast in particular, calling it “the worst performing operator in the country” in light of persistent delays and cancellations.
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