If the railways are a loss-making industry, why are there big payouts to shareholders? Where does that money come from?

Restore our national rail.

I’m an East Coast disgruntled rail passenger.

Privatisation is theft.

The privatised railways make no sense for the passenger. Companies and managers make huge profits whilst passengers, taxpayers and workers are ripped off.

It was doing okay, so why was it changed?

You know it makes sense.

Bring back British Rail.

People’s daily commute shouldn’t be left to free market greed.

Your talk last night convinced me.

Good nationalised public transport is essential to any civilisation.

Run the railways for the people and not for the benefit and profit of the private railway companies.

As an ex BR employee it makes a world of sense, as passengers would benefit over and over again.

Yes, but we need more lines re-opened (and not HS2) to create more capacity.

Another wonderful institution built by the people for the people. Keep it decent. Keep it affordable!

Bring it back.

As a student, I feel that, even with a railcard, rail fares are extortionately expensive and the ticketing systems with multiple vendors are far too complicated.

It’s time we all stopped being fleeced by big business.

I just totally agree with what you say.

Bring back the British values of a great rail company.

UK trains are a shambles compared to the rest of Europe.

The current privatised rail system is ridiculous. There is no competition on the privatised lines. It is just a licence to make money at the customers’ expense.

Awful service which is often late, combined with insufficient capacity due to the lack of carriages put on by the operator.

Bring back British Rail.

Put an end to private profit, public risk.

Hands off our railway. It is making a good profit. Stop selling off the crown jewels.

Re-nationalise not just the railways, but the electricity, gas and water suppliers as well.

The fragmented privatised railway is still paid for by the taxpayer, yet is so inefficient that it costs three times what BR cost. It’s time to give us back our national railway.

we are an embarrassment compared to other European countries. The rail system is a shambles.

I think the East Coast should remain publicly owned as a means of comparing profit levels and costs while continuing to raise money for improving other public services.