Railways Under Tories Are 'Symbol Of National Decline', Labour Declares

Britain's railways have become a "symbol of national decline" under the Conservatives, the shadow transport secretary has said, announcing Labour's plans to nationalise the rail network within five years in government.

- Aletha Adu

In a speech at Trainline's headquarters yesterday, Louise Haigh said: "Today's broken model simply doesn't work," with train cancellations at a record high and fares having risen almost twice as fast as wages since 2010.

Jody Ford, the chief executive of the travel company, echoed Haigh's words, saying rail had "significant power and potential" to drive economic growth into all parts of the country's communities.

Haigh said: "Our railways are critical to making our country a better, wealthier and happier place. We can only achieve our five national missions if we unlock the trapped potential of our railways to boost growth, and opportunity and to connect all of us with each other, with work and with pleasure."

Haigh said a Labour government would establish Great British Railways, which she described as a "single directing mind to control our railways in the passenger interest".