MAY I add to Mr Rooksby's article about the trains (Letters, July 5)?
For the benefit of the readers who are not familiar with the name South East trains, it is basically the franchise that Connexe had, and, after such an appalling record on their part, was taken back into public ownership.
As he so rightly points out the record of the services has increased considerably since then. So it beggars belief that the Labour Government should be hell bent on returning it to the private sector.
A group of 63 members of parliament proposed that South East trains be kept in public ownership. Guess what; the motion was defeated in favour of being returned to the private sector.
Now, how's that for a Labour Government?
Looking through the list of names of the 63 MPs, I see our John Grogan gave it his support. By contrast, I didn't see Hugh Bayley's name. Apparently he subscribes to the Tory view that the railways are best in the private sector.
I would be very interested in his rationale for the lack of support for the bill to retain South East trains in public hands.
Perhaps for New Labour we should read New Tory...
G B Ledger,
Horseman Close,
York.
Updated: 11:13 Tuesday, July 12, 2005
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 The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.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 hereComments are closed on this article