Andrew Martin, writerLike most people in Britain, I think that a railway is a natural function of the state, and so ought to be run by the state – for the sake of coherence, transparency, continuity, accountability and national pride.
James Meek, writerAt its heart privatisation in Britain was never about selling public networks but about selling the rights to tax those who are obliged to use them.
Ellie Harrison, campaign founderTo be able to reduce C02 emissions, by persuading people to leave cars at home, we need a fast, efficient subsidised railway system that’s run for people not profit!
Aditya Chakrabortty, The GuardianResearch into privatisation… boils down to one key finding: the only way Branson and the vast majority of train barons make their profits is through handouts from the taxpayer.
Ellie Harrison, campaign founderA good public transport system should be the foundation of a fair, just, happy, low-carbon world.
Josie Long, comedianPrivatisation is only progress, if you mean progressing towards an apocalypse of injustice. Bring back British Rail!
Aditya Chakrabortty, The GuardianPrivatisation has delivered… a system in which train operators and energy firms compete not on service – but on how many tariffs they can bamboozle customers with.
Tony Benn, politicianTransport is an essential public service and ought to be publicly owned and publicly controlled. We need an enormous expansion in the investment in our railways and that is the best way of achieving it.
Naomi Klein, writerIf the private companies that took over the national railways are cutting back and eroding services at a time when the climate crisis demands expanded low-carbon transportation alternatives to keep more of us out of planes, then these services too must be reclaimed.
Caroline Lucas, Green Party MPTaking our railways back from private profiteers will mean better services, fairer rail fares and more than £1 billion a year in savings for the public purse.
Andrew Gilligan, journalistNow is the moment to re-nationalise the railways and it has never been cheaper or more possible.
Alex Gordon, former RMT PresidentIn 1948 Labour nationalised rail to rebuild Britain after a world war. Today bankers and speculators use privatised trains for tax scams. Time to bring back British Rail.
Owen Jones, writerLet’s make the case for democratic social ownership, fit for the 21st century, ensuring our railways are run in the interests of passengers, not profiteers.
Charles Secrett, The ACT! AllianceOnly a publicly owned railway can deliver affordable fares, good services, high customer satisfaction, properly staffed stations and a profitable return to the public purse.
Charles Secrett, The ACT! AlliancePrivatisation of the railways has failed. Its time to make a virtue of public ownership, and the public service provided by state employees.
Tamsin Omond, Lush CampaignsThe UK public wants a publicly owned railway, and so do we. Lush calls for an end to the failed experiment of privatising essential services.
Nina Power, writerSomething as important and necessary (and enjoyable) as train travel should be in the hands of the people, be affordable and safe, not making money for shareholders.
Cat Hobbs, We Own ItEast Coast shows us that publicly owned rail works better for passengers and taxpayers. We need a railway fit for the future – it’s got to be in public hands.
Christian Wolmar, transport commentatorThe privatisation of the railways was a scandal that created an unworkable and expensive structure which should be replaced with a national unified network.
Professor Andrew Cumbers, University of GlasgowThere is no good excuse left for rail privatisation beyond enriching wealthy elites. Public ownership delivers for social and environmental needs over private profit.