Steerpike Steerpike

Why is Mick Lynch now speaking up for railway passengers?

Secretary-General of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) Mick Lynch (Credit: Getty images)

Mick Lynch, the tough-talking general secretary of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT), is on the warpath again. This time, it’s the train companies who are once again the object of his ire, over plans to close 1,000 ticket offices.

Lynch says this proposal amounts to a ‘savage attack on railway workers, their families and the travelling public’ – and will prove ‘catastrophic for elderly, disabled and vulnerable passengers trying to access the rail network.’

Of course, many of those same elderly, disabled and vulnerable passengers have encountered difficulties ‘trying to access the rail network’ on numerous occasions throughout the last year: during train strikes.

Later this month, the railways will again grind to a halt on three days of planned walkouts backed by the RMT. Once again, passengers will be left to fend for themselves – but Lynch is unlikely to speak up for them on that occasion.

Steerpike
Written by
Steerpike

Steerpike is The Spectator's gossip columnist, serving up the latest tittle tattle from Westminster and beyond. Email tips to steerpike@spectator.co.uk or message @MrSteerpike

Topics in this article

Comments

Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months

Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.

Already a subscriber? Log in