As an ex-railway employee, I am totally opposed to rail privatisation. The railways belong to the public. Bring back British Rail.

Paul Knight, Australia

It’s absurd that our railways are now being run by state owned operators from other parts of Europe.

Frank Nicholas Adam

We need a railway that’s a source of pride not profit.

Allan Robinson, Sussex

Let’s make public transport publicly owned and not for private profit.

David Lewis, York

Privatisation stinks.

Barbara Naughton, Gorebridge

It should never have been privatised in the first place. Greed once again was put before common sense.

Keith Jones, Gateshead

Give us back a rail service that we can all afford to use.

Sue Lindley, Appledore

BR was best.

Paul Simonite, Wick

For the many not the few.

Michael Davies, Glasgow

Bring back less misery to travellers. And more support for our rail workers.

Philip Overton, Great Yarmouth

I hate the ‘cheap’ advance fare system that enables train operators to dodge the real issue of extortionate fares when questioned about rises. Fares should be per mile.

Jane Atchison, Bristol

As the son of a railwayman please restore British Rail to being one national company.

Richard Firth, North Shields

We are great when we create

Susan Anderson, Doncaster

Bring back British Rail, run by the people for the people at a profit for the people not private business.

Derek Wagstaff, Plymouth

Network Rail cannot run trains or do any engineering so I’m not quite sure what they do.

Anthony Duggan, Bromley

Railways are a natural monopoly and should be subsidised by the state. No more profit before people. Nationalise the railways.

Alberto Torres, London

I think that these private companies like Southern are making money out of long-suffering passengers.

Monica Marchi, Brighton

I am a member of UKIP, yet both I and some of my friends who are further right than the Tories agree nationalisation of the rails is necessary. This appeals to everyone.

Lewis Hart, St. Albans

The poorest suffer; the richest grow richer.

Phil Wall, Pontypridd

Bring back sanity.

Doug Ellershaw, Lancaster

The debate surrounding the notion “private good, nationalised bad” has to be changed. Privatisation has caused low wages, poor employment conditions, and poverty.

Ron Darwin, Ripon

The privatisation of rail has given us a mess. Millions of pounds spent on advisors and lawyers could be spent on services. It’s idiotic to sell successful East Coast .

David Skuse, Morpeth

People before profit.

Paul Simmonds, Norwich

Privatisation of the rail network has led to hugely increased fares and shoddy maintenance, as the only thing that matters to them is profit.

Sheila Lamb, Tewkesbury

Privatisation has been a farce. The sooner British Rail is re-nationalised the better for all.

David Hamilton, Southampton

May the force be with you.

Kathleen Satterthwaite, York

We need to have British Rail returned to public ownership as soon as possible.

Sheila Amies-Byron, Paignton

We must do this before TTIP progresses.

Linda Kaucher, London

Please – a nationalised, efficient, re-vitalised railway with a large public investment for the future.

Neal Wright, Penzance