National Express loses East Anglia rail franchise

[whole diary]

[devon_metro]

Not meaning to get too political, but correct me if i'm wrong, but didn't Brown's administration promise a referendum?

It's all very well jumping on the "Tories not holding a referendum" band wagon, however it is not in the slightest bit practical and would achieve nothing.

[inspector_blakey]

Ladies, gentlemen, boys and girls, just a gentle reminder that this thread is titled "NX loses east Anglia franchise" and not Why I hate the Tories/Why I love UKIP/Insert your own political opinion here!

That will be all... 

[RailCornwall]

Bit of wishful thinking eh, btline?

Yes, perhaps. But realistic thinking. And today's interview in The Times with UKIP's new leader adds extra to the Tory woes. PROOF that Cameron had NO INTENTION to give us a referendum. Not only did he bottle it, he was dishonest. To think that his whole election campaign for the EU^» (European Union - about) elections was about Lisbon when he had no intention to do anything himself makes me sick. Why? Because even I, who opposes the Tories, was taken in by it.

I think a lot of people who voted Tory for the EU elections will be annoyed.

I thoght political discussions were discouraged, meanwhile re Lisbon there's absolutely no point in a referendum now as the treaty is in force (or will be from 2300 tomorrow evening UK^▸ (United Kingdom) time. A point that the Conservatives always made.

[Super Guard]

Bit of wishful thinking eh, btline?

Yes, perhaps. But realistic thinking. And today's interview in The Times with UKIP's new leader adds extra to the Tory woes. PROOF that Cameron had NO INTENTION to give us a referendum. Not only did he bottle it, he was dishonest. To think that his whole election campaign for the EU^» (European Union - about) elections was about Lisbon when he had no intention to do anything himself makes me sick. Why? Because even I, who opposes the Tories, was taken in by it.

I think a lot of people who voted Tory for the EU elections will be annoyed.

I thoght political discussions were discouraged, meanwhile re Lisbon there's absolutely no point in a referendum now as the treaty is in force (or will be from 2300 tomorrow evening UK^▸ (United Kingdom) time. A point that the Conservatives always made.

Not meaning to get too political, but correct me if i'm wrong, but didn't Brown's administration promise a referendum?

It's all very well jumping on the "Tories not holding a referendum" band wagon, however it is not in the slightest bit practical and would achieve nothing.

Something the country seems to have forgotten 

No doubt, as we have an election approaching there will be plenty of pre and post election debate with links to the future of the railways, the moderators may wish to consider a new section of the forum or a separate thread for political banter/discussions? 

[Chris from Nailsea]

Hmm.  Thanks for your suggestion, Donkey Guard. 

It is inevitable that any discussions about the railway system in this country will be bound up in politics, and opinions will generally tend to become more polarised in the run up to a general election.  This forum is not immune from that fact - and nor do we want to stifle any reasonable discussion.

However, as inspector_blakey pointed out yesterday, the heading of this particular topic is 'National Express loses East Anglia rail franchise'.  Diverting discussion from that fact, to the merits or otherwise of a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, is going 'off topic' - which is generally frowned upon in forums.

While we are reluctant to offer a new board specifically for political discussions, the option remains for established members of this forum to post their views in our existing 'frequent posters' board.  The two advantages of this are that those who post there are assured that their views will not be publicly viewable, and they will be posting among other members of this forum who understand the ground rules there.

This does not mean that 'frequent posters' is a 'free-for-all' - but it does offer experienced members here the opportunity to expound their views in the manner of ... well, perhaps the House of Commons is a bad example!