Apart from a bright spark of hope in the victory of the Gaza motion, this year’s conference lacked vision and purpose — we need to urgently reconnect Labour with its roots rather than weakly aping the flag-waving right, argues KIM JOHNSON MP

THE Railway Regulation Act of 1844 ensured that train travel became accessible to some of the poorest in society.
But it went beyond that, mandating a minimum standard of travel for passengers, and giving government the power to limit fares and purchase new lines.
It’s an example of how government intervention succeeded in bringing the benefits of new technology to the people.

As bus builder Alexander Dennis threatens Falkirk closure and Grangemouth faces ruthless shutdown by tax exile Jim Ratcliffe, RICHARD LEONARD MSP warns that global corporations must be resisted by a bold industrial strategy based on public ownership


