Tory ‘hypocrisy’ over train services

Labour has accused the coalition government of “hypocrisy” for failing to ensure a rail service on Boxing Day.

Transport spokesman John Woodcock said that, in opposition, the Conservatives routinely attacked Labour for forcing families and sports fans on to the roads by failing to provide trains the day after Christmas.

But he said ministers had done “nothing” in office to encourage operators to run a Boxing Day service.

He highlighted Boxing Day comments in 2008 and 2009 from then Tory transport spokesman Stephen Hammond, lambasting Labour for “condemning sports fans and families… to misery on our clogged-up motorways”. Mr Woodcock said: “This is total hypocrisy from the Tories.

“Year after year in opposition, the Tories attacked the Boxing Day rail shutdown.

“But in government, they have done nothing to encourage rail operators to run a Boxing Day service, and this Boxing Day, most trains are not running.

“This is typical of the Conservative Party’s opportunism – making promises they never had any intention of keeping.

“Transport Secretary Justine Greening should tell us what she plans to do to ensure that Boxing Day services do run in future, or else admit her party was chasing headlines in opposition.”