A UNION leader has urged Labour not to “backslide” in the run-up to the general election on a policy of renationalising the railways.
Mick Lynch, general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT), told a fringe meeting at Labour’s annual conference in Liverpool that taking the railways back under public control remains party policy.
He argued that the entire railway system should be renationalised.
“It was a manifesto commitment from the last election and it is still Labour policy," said Lynch.
READ MORE: Angela Rayner says Labour isn't 'watering down' workers' rights agenda
“We cannot have any backsliding on that before the next election.
“The job is: make sure Labour live up to the policy which is there in black and white.
“Labour should be shouting from the rooftops that the era of privatisation is over.”
Mick Whelan, general secretary of the train drivers’ union Aslef, told the meeting that the Government was overseeing the “managed decline” of the railways.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel