PARLIAMENTARY COLUMN

RMT helpline 0800 3763706 :: march 2009 :: RMTnews 9 Parliamentary column “Take the National Express when your life’s in a mess” sang the Divine Comedy. Well it would appear that far from being able to sort out a mess National Express East Anglia, are the ones making one. I have battled long and hard over the years for better services between Norwich and London. The fight began with Anglia Railways then it changed to One Railway and now National Express East Anglia. It seems that whatever they are called or whoever has the franchise we have had delayed trains, passenger complaints, staffing issues and failure to fund proper upgrading of the railways. Now we are threatened with massive job cuts and the loss of the restaurant car. Frankly, nobody in Norwich is ever happy with the service. This culminated in me holding the “Norfolk MPs One Railway Inquiry” in 2006. I took submissions of evidence from the public so that people’s concerns over the service were on record. I then organised a public meeting in the style of a select committee interviewing panel. The panel consisted of a local Lib Dem MP and a local Conservative MP and me. We were able to candidly question the Managing Director and Head of Corporate Affairs from One Railway and the Route Director from Network Rail. The inquiry was useful for railway staff, the public and the MPs. The operator was able to explain the conditions they are working under and the difficulties they face and we were able to address the submissions we had had from the public and staff. As a result of the inquiry major works to improve services were brought forward from 2011 to 2009. To be fair to the operator they are of course fighting the years of underinvestment by successive Tory governments which saw our railway system run into the ground. There is now a long term investment programme partnered with Network Rail to upgrade the Norwich to London line and improve carriage stock. However things took a turn for the worse in late 2008 when it became apparent National Express East Anglia was planning to massively downsize their operation putting 300 jobs at risk. I was not about to let this happen without a fight. I joined forces with the RMT and passenger groups to mount a campaign to save the jobs in Norwich and to save the jobs on the restaurant car. I use the service regularly myself and I know the restaurant car staff very well – they run a fantastic and well used operation. I was pleased to receive a round of applause from the staff the day after I had been pictured in the paper with Bob Crow leafleting the public in Liverpool Street asking them to get behind the campaign to save the jobs – if you’re reading this maybe a free meal next time? I am due to lead a delegation of MPs to see Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon in March. Unfortunately the Government has so far claimed it is not able to interfere. The privatisation model which has led to a series of under funded regional monopolies has been a disaster for the railway network. Ian Gibson MP for Norwich North DEFEND RAIL SERVICES and real change. Even before its launch there is real enthusiasm and support growing for a genuinely popular campaign to demand that the government puts people first”. RMT general secretary Bob Crow, one of the principal founders of The Charter, said: "People up and down this country are facing the harshest set of economic conditions for over 100 years. “They are losing their jobs and their homes, while at the same time the bankers that brought this country to its knees are being guaranteed their livelihoods, their bonuses and their half a million pound pensions. “The People's Charter for Change is a six point progressive programme of policies that offers a clear alternative to the failed programme of recent years” he said. RMT not only support The People's Charter for Change, but will be actively campaigning up and down the country to get as many signatures as possible to make sure the government understand the strength of feeling across Britain today. RMT members can sign up to the charter and find out more information on the campaign by going to http://www.thepeoplescharter.com SIX POINTS FOR DEMOCRATIC CHANGE • A Fairer Economy for a Fairer Britain • More and better Jobs • Decent Homes for All • Save and Improve Public Services • For a Fair and Just Britain • For a Future Without War