Rachel Reeves says solving rail strikes 'doesn't involve going on picket lines'

The shadow chancellor said that the way to support striking workers “doesn’t involve going on picket lines”.

"My focus is on devising policies for an incoming Labour government, and to help resolve disputes rather than to fan the flames as this government seems intent on doing,” she told TalkTV last night.

“I think it doesn't involve going on picket lines, in my view, but instead working to bring the parties together to get an outcome that is fair to those people who work in the rail sector and elsewhere.”

The Leeds West MP said that although she supported the right to strike, the outcome of rail disputes must be “fair to people who are using and relying on those services”.

“The Labour Party was formed by our trade unions, we were part of the same movement, and we want the same solutions,” she added.

Thursday and Sunday sees a national strike by the RMT union which will affect all National Rail rail companies, as well as the London Underground.

The union said that it expects this will bring out over 40,000 workers on picket lines.

"The rail industry and the government need to understand that this dispute will not simply vanish,” said Mick Lynch, RMT’s general secretary.

June saw similar strikes which cause mass disruption to commuters and holidaymakers over the summer.

Labour has taken a hard line on its front bench MPs joining striking workers, though backbenchers have continued to attend without consequences from the leadership.

Sam Tarry, a Labour transport minister, was sacked after breaking Sir Keir’s ban on his top team attending picked lines, though the official explanation from the party was that Mr Tarry was forced to step down after doing a media interview without prior warning.

However, Lisa Nandy, Labour’s shadow levelling up secretary, faced no repercussions when she joined striking workers from the Communication Workers Union.

The results of a further ballot of CWU members is expected tomorrow.

Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader yesterday reiterated that in his party it would not be appropriate for those who want to be in Government to join striking workers, despite the fact that many are their constituents.

“You can’t be in government around the cabinet table and then go to a picket line,” he told ITV.

“Of course you can express support, for those who need support, of course that’s perfectly legitimate, but I’m absolutely focused on getting a Labour government and a Labour government, any responsible Government has a role in these negotiations, and that role is to get people around the table and to resolve the issues that arise.”