The railways have been a total mess since they were first de-nationalised by a Tory government, or should I say given away?

Joyce Morgan, Hastings

Dad – BR 30+ years, Grandfather – stationmaster, Auntie – porter, Nana’s family – steam engine drivers and firemen. All for GWR. It’s in the blood.

Gill Heritage, Halifax

East Coast trains, publicly owned, making huge profits for the government. Privatised rail companies are heavily subsidised by government. Why privatise East Coast trains?

Yvonne Bell, Ryton

A re-unified national rail network run for the people who travel and not for subsidised profits is just what I want to see.

Kenneth Stubbs, Newton Aycliffe

Bring back British Rail.

Kevin Glaister, Stroud

It would be great to also see improvements to rolling stock used on regional services like here on the Carlisle to Newcastle line.

Mike Domingue, Hexham

Private enterprise has been a disaster for the railways.

Chris Lemin, London

Re-nationalise the railways and the utilities. Prosecute the spivs!

Bill Pearson, London

Look to the publicly-owned East Coast railway for how to run an excellent well-costed service.

Jenny Liston, Otley

Standing in Virgin train on a impinged knee injury and blistered feet from a charity hike at in the Lake District. £107 to stand for 3-4hrs! Terrible service.

Melonie Gouldbourne, London

Every ticket is overpriced so no wonder rail travel is decreasing.

Nick East, Stroud

25 separate operating companies. The French think it is a joke. We have the most expensive rail journeys in Europe..

David Doubleday, Darlington

Excellent idea.

Elizabeth Kessler, Durham

The fragmented rail network is nonsense. Public transportation should be run for the benefit of all, not just the benefit of a few shareholders.

Stephen Masters, Gosport

East Coast works fine. Leave well alone. We don’t need it in private hands. Re-nationalise.

William Lynch, Aberdeen

I believe rail transport should be run as a joined-up service and this should be funded out of general taxation.

Anthony Oatham, Epping

And give Liverpool a high speed link.

Darrell Brady, Wellingborough

Rail privatisation was never going to work. We need a fully-integrated, national rail system where there can be no confusion. I back a public rail system to the hilt.

Julian Clark, Swindon

Perhaps we shall see some sense when the Cons and the Labour join forces.

Jim Read, Chesterfield

By signing this I am not showing any political allegiance – just a preference for Tunisian rail travel which is much superior to Britain’s. This must mean something.

Wendy Venters, Fraserburgh

More people would use the railways if they were reliable, accessible and cost less.

Ann Pears, Cambridge

A railway system for the public and owned by the public.

Simon Kirkham, High Wycombe

Rail privatisation had everything to do with deluded ideology and nothing to do with efficiency or public service. That wrong needs to be righted as soon as possible.

Peter Chester, Saltburn-by-the-Sea

It would be nice to buy a ticket without all the grief we have now. Privatisation has made travelling a misery and a headache. Bring back British Rail. It belongs to us.

Ellen Thomas, Belvedere, Kent

Re-nationalise now.

Richard King, Bristol

Let’s Bring back British Rail and bring down fares.

Dominic Bridge, Manchester

A commonsense idea that really does need to be put into practice.

Brian Jones, Bradford

No natural monopolies should be in the hands of the private sector.

John Mason, Mansfield

I fully support the re-nationalisation of the railways.

Adam Wildash, Ash