So, the East Coast line is up for franchise again. The last two private operators had to pack it in, one couldn’t afford the bond and the next couldn't make it pay on the terms they had bid, so just handed in the keys and walked away. The current (nationalised) operation is running very nicely thank you and contributing squillions to the exchequer. So why franchise it again? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21936255 http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2013/mar/2 ... ine-tender

So, the East Coast line is up for franchise again. The last two private operators had to pack it in, one couldn’t afford the bond and the next couldn't make it pay on the terms they had bid, so just handed in the keys and walked away. The current (nationalised) operation is running very nicely thank you and contributing squillions to the exchequer. So why franchise it again? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21936255 http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2013/mar/2 ... ine-tender

Political dogma, and crazy dogma at that.
Still they have to deliver something to their paymasters.

Be interesting to see if Labour announce: "bid if you wish but be on notice. If we win the next election, it will be taken back into public control, without compensation".

I won't hold me breath

They're more likey to announce "everything the coalition does is wrong, but it's the Tories fault, just in case we need to form a coalition with the SoftDems"

do they have any actual policies?

They have to sell it so that shareholders can make a profit. No shareholders no tory party.

El Barbudo wrote:So, the East Coast line is up for franchise again. The last two private operators had to pack it in, one couldn’t afford the bond and the next couldn't make it pay on the terms they had bid, so just handed in the keys and walked away. The current (nationalised) operation is running very nicely thank you and contributing squillions to the exchequer. So why franchise it again? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21936255 http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2013/mar/2 ... ine-tender Because it sounds to much like British rail and as we know that can't be left alone by the tories.

El Barbudo wrote:So, the East Coast line is up for franchise again. The last two private operators had to pack it in, one couldn’t afford the bond and the next couldn't make it pay on the terms they had bid, so just handed in the keys and walked away. The current (nationalised) operation is running very nicely thank you and contributing squillions to the exchequer. So why franchise it again? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21936255 http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2013/mar/2 ... ine-tender Because it sounds to much like British rail and as we know that can't be left alone by the tories.

Is there an election anytime soon?

They don't need any policies for a while yet, especially now that the coalition introduced fixed-term parliaments. It's not as if there's a threat of a snap election anymore

Policies are soooo 20th century, old chap.
Just look at how many policies, promises and pledges (*) the coalition have had to ignore/retract/fail to act upon/downgrade to "aspiration" status.
Far better not to have made them in the first place don't you think?

(*) Some, harshly, call them lies.


In this particular instance, Labour's policy is to keep the East Coast Main Line in public ownership and operation.
Probably one of the reasons why the Tories have to make it too expensive for Labour to do.
It's a spoiler and it also fits the Tories dogma of how nothing belongs in public ownership.