At the Labour Party’s annual conference, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander is set to announce that the majority of rail services in Great Britain will fall under public ownership by mid-2024. Alexander will reveal that four train services—including West Midlands Trains, Govia Thameslink Railway, Chiltern Railways, and Great Western Railway—will transition to public management, marking a significant shift from private ownership.

She is expected to criticize the previous privatization model, claiming it has repeatedly failed passengers. The transfer of services will commence with West Midlands Trains in February 2026, followed by Govia Thameslink in May 2026, with Chiltern and Great Western Railways to follow thereafter. This initiative aligns with Labour’s manifesto commitments.

The Labour government also plans to introduce legislation by year-end to establish Great British Railways, an entity tasked with overseeing the day-to-day operations of the rail network. The announcement comes as Labour prepares for critical discussions and events at the conference, including various speeches and a scheduled protest outside the venue. In the broader political landscape, party leader Keir Starmer is expected to address internal challenges and emphasize the urgency of addressing right-wing populism in the UK.



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