Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill

The Government opened the debate by outlining their plans to bring passenger railway services into public ownership through the Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill. The Secretary of State for Transport, Louise Haigh, argued that privatisation has failed, leading to poor services, high fares, and frequent disruptions. She stated that the Bill would fulfil a key manifesto commitment and allow the Government to take action as soon as contracts expire or if operators default. This, she said, would put passengers at the heart of the railways and enable much-needed reform. In response, the shadow Secretary of State, Helen Whately, acknowledged the need for rail reform but criticised the Bill as being driven by ideology rather than evidence. She argued that privatisation had delivered benefits such as increased passenger numbers and investment, and questioned whether public ownership would actually improve services or reduce fares. Whately also raised concerns about the impact on jobs and working conditions, as well as the potential for further nationalisation beyond just passenger services. The subsequent debate saw contributions from MPs across the House. Many welcomed the Bill, particularly those representing constituencies that have experienced poor rail services under private operators. They argued that public ownership would allow a focus on passengers rather than profits, and enable investment in modernisation and accessibility. However, some Conservative MPs, such as Wendy Morton, defended the private sector's role and expressed scepticism about the benefits of nationalisation. Several members, including Siân Berry and Graham Leadbitter, raised questions about the scope of the Bill, such as whether it would cover freight services, rolling stock companies, and devolved transport authorities. The importance of integrated transport planning and investment was also highlighted. The debate featured a number of impressive maiden speeches, with new MPs outlining the importance of rail connectivity for their local communities and the need to address issues such as overcrowding, unreliable services, and high fares. They shared personal stories and perspectives that underscored the real-world impact of the railway system. Towards the end of the debate, the Government's position was summarised by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Simon Lightwood. He reiterated the Government's belief that public ownership would deliver better value for money and improved services for passengers, while rejecting claims that the approach was ideologically driven. Lightwood also provided assurances about the Government's plans for further rail reform and engagement with unions. The Bill was ultimately approved by the House, with 351 votes in favour and 84 against, demonstrating the Government's ability to secure support for this key piece of legislation.