Labour is to force a vote of no confidence in Chris Grayling over his handling of the railways fiasco.
Commuters particularly in this part of the country, have been left furious by hundreds of delayed and cancelled trains following the botched introduction of a new rail timetable.
A motion laid down by Labour to be debated in the Commons later today “regrets that the Secretary of State for Transport has failed to strategically manage and oversee the UK railway and take responsibility for his role in the crisis on England’s railways, whilst officials at other organisations have resigned and forgone bonuses”.
The motion also calls for the termination of the Northern and Govia Thameslink Railway franchises.
Speaking ahead of the debate, Andy McDonald MP, Labour’s Shadow Transport Secretary said:
“The crisis facing our railways is a national scandal, and the person ultimately responsible must be held to account.
“Chris Grayling has failed to fulfil his basic duty to manage our railways, and failed to take responsibility for the chaos and disruption that has affected thousands of commuters across the North of England. While officials within rail franchises have resigned and forgone bonuses, the Secretary of State has continued to pass the buck.
“Passengers across our country have no confidence in Chris Grayling. It’s time Parliament steps in to hold him to account, and immediately terminate the Northern and Govia Thameslink Railways franchises, to end the crisis in our railways.”
