Renationalising The Trains

[jon1959]

That's all fine and dandy Sludgey but... picture the scene - Sir Keir and Angie have just completed the total re nationalisation - we are back to British Rail. Responsible for all trains, track, repairs, drivers, conductors etc - fantastic. Until British Rail union members decide to go on strike for more (insert ludicrous demand here).

All of a sudden with great ease - they could bring down the entire rail network. Every person now employed by the Govt. East coast service is cr@p - we'll get companies to re tender and dont renew the current supplier - under British Rail - you are stuck with them.

Inefficiency, no motivation to innovate, probable political interference, zero accountability, zero competition, if you want that good luck to you. Much better off using the Japan Rail model - rather than the usual socialist guff policy that never worked and will fail again. But hey ho - I'm sure you have thought this through - and it will all be fine - just like it was in the 70's

Labour (Louise Haigh) nationalisation plans specifically exclude rolling stock and (I think) the track. It is just about bringing the operations of the train operating companies back into public control as and when the contracts expire.

Not sure of the rationale for this half and half plan - though assume it is so they can say it will not cost a penny (and will make big savings for the Treasury). The figure they are using is £2.2 billion per year after 5 years. With that they should be able to buy back the trains and track too - and have an integrated transport system.

It will make a change from the government temporarily nationalising routes when train franchises fail and then giving them away again when they have recovered. Or in other words a change from nationalising debt and privatising profit. Or in other words a change from tax payers subsidising shareholders. Or in other words parasite capitalism.

[HiVis]

Labour (Louise Haigh) nationalisation plans specifically exclude rolling stock and (I think) the track. It is just about bringing the operations of the train operating companies back into public control as and when the contracts expire.

Not sure of the rationale for this half and half plan - though assume it is so they can say it will not cost a penny (and will make big savings for the Treasury). The figure they are using is £2.2 billion per year after 5 years. With that they should be able to buy back the trains and track too - and have an integrated transport system.

It will make a change from the government temporarily nationalising routes when train franchises fail and then giving them away again when they have recovered. Or in other words a change from nationalising debt and privatising profit. Or in other words a change from tax payers subsidising shareholders. Or in other words parasite capitalism.

FOCs have to pay franchise fees whereas the state, when it takes over a franchise, does not. That's how the taxpayer recoups there money.

Anyway, I digress from the point I was making. Whether you believe in state or privately run is moot, what we really need is massive infrastructure investment in public works, public infrastructure, integrated bus, rail, light rail. These works creates jobs, wealth and improves productivity. Whatever happened to Labour being the party of investment - investment is what this country is crying out for.

We've seen how the Tories dithered over HS2, and whilst I'm not discussing the merits of HS2 or otherwise, its clear the Tories don't have a plan to invest in the UKs future.

[PontBlue]

FOCs have to pay franchise fees whereas the state, when it takes over a franchise, does not. That's how the taxpayer recoups there money.

Anyway, I digress from the point I was making. Whether you believe in state or privately run is moot, what we really need is massive infrastructure investment in public works, public infrastructure, integrated bus, rail, light rail. These works creates jobs, wealth and improves productivity. Whatever happened to Labour being the party of investment - investment is what this country is crying out for.

We've seen how the Tories dithered over HS2, and whilst I'm not discussing the merits of HS2 or otherwise, its clear the Tories don't have a plan to invest in the UKs future.

There are so many opportunities to invest to grow and future proof the UK but the Tories wasted years of historically low interest rates to generate funds.

There should be ambitious programmes to make our homes more energy efficient, tidal energy should have been explored plus many others but they don't benefit individuals and companies who bribe Tories to stick with their old business models.

[pipster]

There are so many opportunities to invest to grow and future proof the UK but the Tories wasted years of historically low interest rates to generate funds.

There should be ambitious programmes to make our homes more energy efficient, tidal energy should have been explored plus many others but they don't benefit individuals and companies who bribe Tories to stick with their old business models.

Maybe you should have a chat with a Soil company based in Lamby way - that was being investigated for toxic sludge dumping.
Maybe we should nationalise everything?

[goats]

There are so many opportunities to invest to grow and future proof the UK but the Tories wasted years of historically low interest rates to generate funds.

There should be ambitious programmes to make our homes more energy efficient, tidal energy should have been explored plus many others but they don't benefit individuals and companies who bribe Tories to stick with their old business models.

Surely we should be using the tides to generate power, as it’s such an issue these days. 2nd biggest tidal range in the world between Bristol and Cardiff, one day there will be a barrage to generate power. Then there’s wind, plenty of that too.