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November 2021 newsletter
This is my newletter sent out free to subscribers – to sign up, go to my website christianwolmar.co.uk and scroll down to the bottom of the home page Muddle on track Dear subscriber, Apologies for missing out October, but in the post Covid pandemic (well, sort of) there have been lots more demands on my time than during the serene lockdowns. Moreover, there is no shortage of news...
Sadiq needs to scrap the Silvertown tunnel to secure Labour’s future in London
Here’s a question for Sadiq: do you want to win the next mayoral election, or at least ensure that your Labour successor does so if you choose to stand down? Well, my advice would be to drop the Silvertown Tunnel plan – as soon as possible. That’s because the next election is likely to be fought on first-past-the-post rather than the supplementary vote system currently used, whereby second preferences...
Letter to The Times: rail fares need sorting
Sir, Clare Foges is right to highlight how trains could make a far bigger contribution to the net zero target but she could have given more emphasis to how high fares act as an enormous deterrent (“Trains are key to getting net zero on track”, Nov 1). The focus should be on leisure travellers (not the commuters who have decided on a life of self-imprisonment at home), and they...
Rail 942: A big test for the Levelling Up agenda
‘Levelling up’ is the big idea following on from other memorable catch phrases like ‘hug a hoodie’ and the Big Society. If it is not to be consigned to the same rubbish bin of history, then over the next couple of years the Tories will have to show serious intent and even some results. The wobbling over the eastern leg of HS2 – my bet is a postponement but...
Rail 941: The damaging war between London and the government
I love London, my home town and one of the great cities of the world. It is a much kinder and easier place than many imagine – the other day on my way to take the train to Brighton, the ticket clerk at Finsbury Park saved me £3 by selling me a ticket from there rather than Victoria (why is that cheaper?) and the barista gave me an extra...
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November 2021 newsletter
Sadiq needs to scrap the Silvertown tunnel to secure Labour’s future in London
Letter to The Times: rail fares need sorting
Rail 942: A big test for the Levelling Up agenda
Transport delights in Zurich
Rail 941: The damaging war between London and the government
The strange obsession with innovation
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About Christian Wolmar
Christian Wolmar is an award winning writer and broadcaster specialising in transport and is the author of a series of books on railway history. He was Labour's candidate for the 2016 Richmond Park & North Kingston by-election and also ran to be Labour's candidate in the last London mayoral election. Read more >>
RT @wolmarforlondon BBC headlines Bexley by election quoting Tory claim as 'unprecedented' government by-election victory but this is not true. The real story is a massive 10 percent swing to Labour as Tories did not turn out and which wd give Labour a general election landslide
