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Andy Burnham vows to renationalise railways Andy Burnham vows to renationalise railways
(about 1 hour later)
Andy Burnham has pledged to renationalise the railways “line by line” if he becomes the next prime minister.Andy Burnham has pledged to renationalise the railways “line by line” if he becomes the next prime minister.
The shadow health secretary will launch his leadership manifesto on Thursday, promising to end the “fragmentation and privatisation” of the rail system.The shadow health secretary will launch his leadership manifesto on Thursday, promising to end the “fragmentation and privatisation” of the rail system.
“We need a new approach to our railways, one that puts passengers before profit. That’s why I will work to bring the railways back under public control and public ownership,” Burnham will say in the manifesto.“We need a new approach to our railways, one that puts passengers before profit. That’s why I will work to bring the railways back under public control and public ownership,” Burnham will say in the manifesto.
Pointing to the success of the east coast mainline when it was in public ownership, Burnham will promise to set up a national rail governing body accountable to the transport secretary, to further regulate the bus network and campaign for an east to west high-speed rail route.Pointing to the success of the east coast mainline when it was in public ownership, Burnham will promise to set up a national rail governing body accountable to the transport secretary, to further regulate the bus network and campaign for an east to west high-speed rail route.
Burnham will claim that the UK railway system costs 40% more to run than other systems across Europe and that private investment in the railways has halved since 2010 at the same time as private profits have grown.Burnham will claim that the UK railway system costs 40% more to run than other systems across Europe and that private investment in the railways has halved since 2010 at the same time as private profits have grown.
Membership Event: Guardian Live | The future of Labour: meet the next leaderMembership Event: Guardian Live | The future of Labour: meet the next leader
The announcement comes as Burnham’s leadership rival Jeremy Corbyn appears to be ahead in the race for Labour leader. Last month, a YouGov poll for the Times put the MP for Islington North ahead, with 43% of the first preference vote, and he has gained the backing of Unison, the Communication Workers Union (CWU) and Unite.The announcement comes as Burnham’s leadership rival Jeremy Corbyn appears to be ahead in the race for Labour leader. Last month, a YouGov poll for the Times put the MP for Islington North ahead, with 43% of the first preference vote, and he has gained the backing of Unison, the Communication Workers Union (CWU) and Unite.
Corbyn’s surprise surge has left his immediate rivals – Burnham and Yvette Cooper – struggling to compete for attention, though Burnham is still the bookies’ favourite to win the race.Corbyn’s surprise surge has left his immediate rivals – Burnham and Yvette Cooper – struggling to compete for attention, though Burnham is still the bookies’ favourite to win the race.
Corbyn has pledged to renationalise the railways and bring energy companies back into public ownership. A YouGov poll from May 2014 suggested that 60% of the public were in favour of renationalising the railways, compared to 20% who were against.Corbyn has pledged to renationalise the railways and bring energy companies back into public ownership. A YouGov poll from May 2014 suggested that 60% of the public were in favour of renationalising the railways, compared to 20% who were against.
Related: Anti-austerity unpopular with voters, finds inquiry into Labour's election loss
In its general election manifesto, Labour promised to review the current franchising system, allowing public sector operators to bid to run services.In its general election manifesto, Labour promised to review the current franchising system, allowing public sector operators to bid to run services.
In a seminar in Leeds on Tuesday, Corbyn launched a document entitled Northern Future, in which he outlined plans to rebalance the British economy. In addition to greater investment in the rail network in the north, he would seek to encourage manufacturing in the north to reduce Britain’s dependence on the services industry.In a seminar in Leeds on Tuesday, Corbyn launched a document entitled Northern Future, in which he outlined plans to rebalance the British economy. In addition to greater investment in the rail network in the north, he would seek to encourage manufacturing in the north to reduce Britain’s dependence on the services industry.
Corbyn said: “None of what we have said on this platform today would be seen as remotely exceptional, extreme or leftwing in Germany, where they proudly have public investment in all kinds of industries and don’t feel ashamed about it. Why have we got this obsession with not getting public involvement in what is the essential basis of our society and our economy?”Corbyn said: “None of what we have said on this platform today would be seen as remotely exceptional, extreme or leftwing in Germany, where they proudly have public investment in all kinds of industries and don’t feel ashamed about it. Why have we got this obsession with not getting public involvement in what is the essential basis of our society and our economy?”