Conservatives ‘risk rail fares backlash’

The January increase, determined by the latest inflation figures, threatens to “unleash a massive political backlash among commuters struggling to meet rocketing bills”, the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union said. It said that among those affected was Tory MP Simon Kirby, who has a 1,328 majority in his Brighton Kemptown seat where his commuting constituents will face paying around £3,800 for Brighton to London season tickets come January.

The neighbouring seat of Hove is held by Conservative MP Mike Weatherly, who has a majority of just 1,868 and whose constituents will also have to fork out around £3,800 in the new year if they commute to London.

RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: “The Government is bent on making commuters and rail workers pay to protect the profits of private rail operators who have already drained nearly £7bn from the industry, but they risk provoking a huge backlash.”