PARLIAMENTARY COLUMN

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: october 2018 :: RMTnews 9 RMT’s fringe meeting at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool in September was entitled “rail public ownership - what will it look like and when will it arrive?” Speaking ahead of the conference and RMT’s meeting John McDonnell, the Shadow Chancellor and honorary President of the RMT Parliamentary Group, answered part of this question by telling the media that rail nationalisation could happen within the first five year of a Labour Government. Asked whether the whole rail network could be publicly owned in one five-year term John said “I think that’s possible. That’s why we’re working through the detail now of how that can be done. If you look at what’s happened over time, a number of these franchises have been handed back anyway.” “I think we are in a situation now where I think that is certainly possible. We want to get to within the first term of a Labour government an integrated railway system.” To the backdrop of the proudly displayed RMT Liverpool 5 and Central and North Mersey branch banners, John’s comments were endorsed by Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Transport Andy McDonald MP. To the packed-out standing room only meeting Andy showed his great command of the transport brief whilst exposing the failings of Chris Grayling. He set out Labour’s vision for rail which would not only be publicly owned but also integrated as one national railway ending the damaging fragmentation of the system. Andy also said that the new rail structure would mean Britain’s nations and regions would have a real say in the running of the railway. Following Andy’s contribution, Marsha de Cordova MP, the Shadow Minister for Disabilities and Labour MP for Battersea stressed the need for rail to be accessible for all and attacked the Tories cuts to funding in this area. Marsha, whose seat contains South Western Trains, paid tribute to striking guards and emphasised the need for a guard on every train to help ensure an accessible railway. Marsha was followed by Emily Yates of the rank and file passenger group, the Association of British Commuters, who have done so much to expose the failings of the privatised railway. Emily gave a powerful presentation on how under privatisation passengers were ignored by the powers that be and passenger justice was needed through giving passengers a real voice over the decisions that affected them. Next up was Ian Mearns, Labour MP for Gateshead and Chair of the RMT Parliamentary Group, who in a passionate speech said rail public ownership’s time had come and Labour meant what it said. He emphasised that RMT had one of the most effective parliamentary groups at Westminster which was strengthened by the fact that the entire Labour frontbench transport team were in the unions Parliamentary Group. RMT general secretary Mick Cash closed the speeches with a wide-ranging contribution which angrily denounced privatisation and emphasised that a publicly owned railway under Labour must also be properly funded and not starved of funds in same way British Rail was. Mick also emphasised that no rail worker must be left behind and called for an end of outsourcing and contracting out on the railway as part of Labour’s programme for public ownership. Mick also paid tribute to striking RMT guards and to loud applause attacked those Labour politicians in the North who were not doing enough to help resolve the DOO dispute. In fact, support for the RMT in its DOO disputes was expressed by all the speakers and as well as Labour Party delegates a number of RMT members attended the meeting including RMT Guards whose contributions to the debates were warmly applauded by the delegates who were clearly in solidarity with striking guards. The meeting was expertly chaired throughout by local MP and RMT Parliamentary Group member Dan Carden who was able to ensure numerous questions were taken and answered to round off a highly successful event. Parliamentary Column RAIL PUBLIC OWNERSHIP IN FIVE YEARS services in the capital out of control it is grossly negligent to close ticket offices which are often the only places of safe refuge available on the network. “I am calling on Mayor of London Sadiq Khan to oppose this retrograde plan for wholesale closures in the strongest possible terms. Ticket offices play a crucial role at train stations. “London needs to greet its passengers, visitors and tourists not with a machine, but a welcoming and friendly ticket office who can provide a full range of services. ”This is just the latest attack on a properly staffed, safe, secure and accessible railway for all and RMT is determined to halt these plans in their tracks,” he said. 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