Just 15% of the public oppose nationalisation
A new poll has shown that 56% of people in the UK want the railways to be re-nationalised while just 15% oppose nationalisation.
The UK’s railways were privatised by the Conservative government in the mid-1990s and railway companies are now owned by private companies and foreign states.
In its 2017 manifesto, Labour promised to take the railways back under control as the private companies’ franchises expired. The Greens promised the same.
The Liberal Democrats said they would take over the running of Southern Rail and Govia Thameslink if elected – but did not promise to nationalise all rail franchises.
The SNP promised to ensure a government-owned company bid for rail contracts but did not say that all franchises should be publicly run.
The Conservatives remained committed to having private companies run the railways.
This poll showed that railway nationalisation is popular among voters of all parties.
Labour voters favour it by 71% to 5%; Lib Dems by 65% to 14% and Tory voters by 46% to 29%.
Previous polls have recorded similar findings in 2013, 2017 and 2018.
Joe Lo is a freelance journalist and a reporter for Left Foot Forward
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One Response to “Poll shows huge support for rail nationalisation – even from Tory voters”
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