Michael Dugher MP, Labour’s Shadow Transport Secretary, on the rail disruptions and responding to Claire Perry’s column in the Sunday People, said:

“The Government allowed almost the entire rail network to be shut down on Boxing Day and as a result we’ve had days of disruption and ensuing chaos for the travelling public.

“Out of touch Ministers have been nowhere to be seen whilst thousands of passengers have been left stranded and suffering long delays. Now the Rail Minister has finally resurfaced to boast in an article why she is ‘so chuffed’ with what is happening with the railways and fails to even mention the misery of recent days - 'Calamity Claire’ has struck again. 

“This weekend shows once again the deep flaws that lie at the heart of our railways. Ministers may be ‘chuffed’, but we’ve had days of unacceptable disruption, with passengers suffering cancellations and miserable delays, and ultimately it will be the taxpayer that foots the bill for this incompetence. This is no way to run the railways.

 “We need a proper investigation into how this disruption was allowed to happen, including what the impact was of the scale of the Boxing Day shutdown and the role of ministers in allowing this to take place.

"Labour will ensure a new ‘guiding mind’ for the railways is set up which will not only coordinate the industry, but give passengers a real voice and guarantee the best possible services during important holidays such as Christmas.”