Weststander
Well-known member
Evidence over the past 40 years suggests that state ownership of rail and water should (!) produce better results for consumers.
Railways - the madness in Sussex and Kent exemplifies the silliness of our model of privatisation. SE, Southern, Thameslink, Network Rail and Gatwick Express …. why? Anyone, name a single tangible benefit to us from this. We’ve been turned away with the ‘wrong tickets’ if we try to use a different route home to Brighton.
I’m not nostalgic about British Rail. Anyone here with a knowledge of current affairs will recall the names Sid Weighell, Ray Buckton, Jimmy Knapp and Peter Parker embroiled in endless bitter disputes, very old rolling stock, the wrong type of snow or leaves on the line, all bringing the nation to a halt. I worked with older folk who had commuted to London in the 70’s …. giving them a lifetime hate of ASLEF and the NUR. They clashed with striking railways workers at Victoria and London Bridge in that era.
Hoping that if Labour ever nationalise, there’s are more mature approach from all. Probably fanciful by me.