THATCHERISM’S roots in public transport are being “ripped up,” MP Louise Haigh told delegates today.

The Transport Secretary, one of the most progressive and effective members of the government, said it was “bringing the age of privatised chaos underwritten by public money to an end for good.”

This was “ripping up the very roots of Thatcherism” by returning the railways — or most of them — to public ownership and handing local councils greater control over bus services.

“By the end of this Parliament, our railways will be in public ownership, run by great British railways in the service of you, the British people,” she told conference.

Ms Haigh also promised to get HS2, which has been incrementally reduced by the Tories to a line running from west London to Birmingham, “back under control.” 

The government has yet to reveal its plans for the route north of Birmingham.