This would be a great first step in regard to putting this nation back together.

Mike Alexander, Sheerness

We need a not-for-profit rail network. East Coast has succeeded since being taken out of failing private hands. Bonuses and payments to shareholders put the prices up.

Jean Wilson, Bradford

Let’s put an end to fat profits for Southeastern Trains and a thin service for passengers.

Graham Elder, Gillingham

How can anyone who uses public transport be against nationalising the railways?!

Ramona Andrews, London

Bring back British Rail. Railways work well abroad. Anyway, all public services should be back in public hands.

Douglas Webber, Godstone

To re-nationalise seems common sense, so let’s do it.

Barrie Evans, Barry Island

I had to leave a job in London because the service is so horrendous. The railways need to be re-nationalised.

Richard James, Brighton

Southern strikes are showing that the private sector is not more efficient at running the railways.

Peter Lucas

The example set by East Coast since 2009 shows that this is the best and only option that benefits the taxpayer.

Tom Bell, Retford

Our railways are obviously not working as they are. The government should sort it out, but it’s unlikely as it’s such a gutless entity.

David Miles, Kent

An essential service for the people should be run by the people, for the benefit of all.

Lucy Reynolds, Liverpool

Better service for public, not all about making money.

Ian Adams, Castle Cary

It seems absolutely ridiculous to me to be in a situation where the track owners, train owners and train operators are all different companies.

Tim Brewin, Hereford

Trains should be available to the majority of people and wouldn’t it be wonderful for the country if British Rail were brought back. Train trips should not be a luxury item.

J Ward, Enfield

I should like to join a group striving to bring back our national train service.

Iris Jefferies, Stroud

I have to endure the poor service and high prices of GWR, formerly First Great Western every week. Bring back British Rail.

David Wilton, Bath

Privatisation has simply meant expensive tickets for commuters (and also tourists). I’m Italian and I can’t understand how British people have accepted this unfair system.

Fabio Massei, Livorno, Italy

Northern rail are a joke with late and cancelled trains all the time. Privatisation never works.

Paul Regan, Manchester

Bring back British Rail.

Lisa Green, Swansea

East Coast trains were a fantastic service and needed to stay in the public sector. How dare this government sell it off to Virgin?

Sandra Barr, Stevenage

Fuel duty for motorists frozen for the last seven years. Rail fares have risen in line with inflation. With little or no increase in wages. Bring back British Rail.

Graham Walker

Rail travel is currently such poor value for money, and is an un-integrated mess. Why should the companies make so much profit for giving so little? Try BR again.

Adrian Neal, Cambridge

I think that re-nationalising should be part of any agreement to build the new high speed rail line.

Hilary Strong, Emsworth

Enough of these foreign companies making money when it should be the UK who runs the trains and has no over-pricing monopoly on the train fares. BBBR. Enough crap.

Kieranne Page, London

Time to re-nationalise. Private rail is another example of the horrible public impact of right wing economic policy. It was very obviously never going to work.

Jaime Warne, London

Why can’t these damned politicians see that we are being ripped off ? Nationalisation now.

Jimmy Barrie, Aberdeen

The party that embraces this policy will sweep to power.

James Gourley, Faversham

Too much of our railways are state owned – by other European countries! Time to re-nationalise and save ourselves billions of pounds.

Phil Coleman, Swansea

Why have we given it all away to foreign companies?

James Connor, Cumbernauld