I have absolutely no idea why we sold off the railways in the first place. If they are so successful, why does the taxpayer still subsidise them? It’s total madness.

We need to be retaining the profits for the benefits of British passengers rather than foreign owners’ shareholders.

I don’t want to bring back the British Rail as was – but a modern British Rail which puts quality, safety and comfort first, not profit. The current system is crap.

The fat cats are at it again.

We need an integrated rail service which offers affordable travel to reduce pollution and congestion on our roads.

Why give money to privateers to bail them out when we can unify the railways and make a profit like the state owned East Coast mainline.

I am disappointed with the service from Trowbridge to Bath which I have just heard will continue for the next four years.

We need to upgrade King’s Cross to Scotland via Durham and Newcastle, instead of wasting money on HS2. Also bring back freight lines to take passengers during rail works.

I am a regular traveller on East Coast rail. It runs very efficiently at a profit and I see no good reason why it should be changed.

Cheaper fares, British owned, better living now.

CrossCountry Trains are German. I would like to see British Rail back in the UK.

Rail transport should belong to the people.

Great Eastern commuters have no choice of rail companies, so how can privatisation be of any use to this line? Private business always wants to make profits, not run great railways.

We need to return to a way in which the system actually works for the people, not for the shareholders!

The privatisation of an integrated railway system has been a failure. It has brought nonsensical fare structures. Many trains are simply not fit for purpose.

I love Virgin who have the west coast franchise. Their service is excellent – trains comfortable and staff outstanding. However, the rest is a mess.

East Coast is making money and they want to sell it off. It may finish up in foreign hands with our money going abroad, We need a joined-up railway system.

Bring back British Rail. Simplify train fares – one ticket and price for any train, not separate tickets for Virgin, Cross Country, London Midland etc.

The current system just does not work.

Re-nationalise energy as well.

We must not let Network Rail – our transport infrastructure – go out of public ownership.

We need to bring back British Rail on a “not for profit” basis in order that we have a safe and prompt railway in the UK.

The East Coast line has made a profit since it was taken back. Now they want to put it back into private hands.

If Mr Miliband tore up his advisers’ scripts and enunciated this as a serious aim for next year he could just win to give this notion real traction.

Since the railways were privatised I have never travelled on them.

Rail, like water and electricity, is a public utility and should be in the public domain.

Start by retaining the wonderful East Coast line which is a delight to experience.

Brilliant idea. I agree 100%!

British trains are deplorable for their service and prices. We need to compete with our European peers.

Track, rolling stock, time-tabling, maintenance planning, financing all run by one organisation working for the same purpose. What’s wrong with the common sense of that?