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Rail renationalisation shunted off Labour’s agenda?
Starmer’s Labour seems to think a party that promises little is more admired, writes SOLOMON HUGHES

WILL rail renationalisation survive Keir Starmer’s cull of commitments? Or will it be shunted into the sidings and forgotten about? 

Uncertain messaging from the top at Labour’s recent conference suggests the party is considering not taking back control of trains after all.

The 2019 manifesto promised “bringing our railways back into public ownership.” But listen to shadow transport secretary Jim McMahon’s conference speech: that isn’t what he calls for.

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LONG OVERDUE: Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander speaks during a visit to the South Western Railway (SWR) Bournemouth Traincare Depot, in Dorset. SWR are the first rail operator to be renationalised under the Public Ownership Act 2024, May 22 2025
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But unions warn renationalisation must not be fudged