8 Sep 2025

We Own It and rail experts visited and held a drop-in session in Parliament on Thursday, 4th September, giving MPs an opportunity to learn more about how the government’s upcoming Railways Bill can truly deliver for passengers. The event, which was co-hosted with Chris Hinchliff MP and Martin Wrigley MP drew in a host of MPs from across the political spectrum.

With our railway coming into public ownership, the government has a historic opportunity to make sure public ownership truly delivers for passengers.

To outline what the government’s upcoming Railways Bill needs to include if it is to truly deliver on the promise of a railway that works for passengers, not profit, We Own It has come together with rail campaigners and experts to produce Passengers not Profit: a vision for the Railways Bill.

Among the experts are Christian Wolmar (rail historian and expert), Emily Sullivan (Association of British Commuters), Ellie Harrison (Bring Back British Rail), Jonathan Tyler (Passenger Transport Networks, YORK), Jonathan Bray (former Director, Urban Transport Group), Dr Grace Brown (Researcher, University of Glasgow) and the RMT.

All told, at least 41 MPs or people representing them attended the session, from the Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democrat, SNP, Plaid Cymru and Independent benches, attended the drop-in session. Crucially, the vast majority of them expressed an interest in working with We Own It to make sure the Railways Bill delivers on the full promise of public ownership. Find MP pictures at the bottom of this blog.

Please find below a list of MPs who attended or were represented at the MP drop-in session:

  1. Amber Valley - Linsey Farnsworth - Labour

  2. Angus and Perthshire Glens - Dave Doogan - SNP

  3. Ashford - Sojan Joseph - Labour

  4. Aylesbury - Laura Kyrke-Smith - Labour

  5. Banbury - Sean Woodcock - Labour

  6. Bishop Auckland - Sam Rushworth - Labour

  7. Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe - David Chadwick - Liberal Democrat

  8. Broxtowe - Juliet Campbell - Labour

  9. Burton and Uttoxeter - Jacob Collier - Labour

  10. Caerfyrddin - Ann Davies - Plaid Cymru

  11. Cambourne and Redruth - Perran Moon - Labour

  12. Castle Point - Rebecca Harris - Conservative

  13. Durham North West - Luke Akehurst - Labour

  14. East Grinstead and Uckfield - Mims Davies - Conservative

  15. Frome and East Somerset - Anna Sabine - Liberal Democrat

  16. Gateshead Central and Whickham - Mark Ferguson - Labour

  17. Isle of Wight West - Richard Quigley - Labour

  18. Knowsley - Anneliese Midgeley - Labour

  19. Lancaster and Wyre - Cat Smith - Labour

  20. Leeds Central and Headingley - Alex Sobel - Labour

  21. Leeds North West - Katie White - Labour

  22. Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr - Steve Witherden - Labour

  23. Morecambe and Lunesdale - Lizzie Collinge - Labour

  24. Newcastle Central and West - Chi Onwurah - Labour

  25. Newcastle-under-Lyme - Adam Jogee - Labour

  26. Newton Abbot - Martin Wrigley - Liberal Democrat

  27. North East Hertfordshire - Chris Hinchliff - Independent

  28. North Norfolk - Steff Aquarone - Liberal Democrat

  29. Nuneaton - Jodie Goslins - Labour

  30. Oxford West and Abingdon - Layla Moran - Liberal Democrat

  31. Romsey and Southampton North - Caroline Nokes - Conservative

  32. Salford - Rebecca Long-Bailey - Labour

  33. St Austell and Newquay - Noah Law - Labour

  34. St Neots and Mid Cambs - Ian Sollom - Liberal Democrat

  35. Stourbridge - Cat Eccles - Labour

  36. Thornbury and Yate - Claire Young - Liberal Democrat

  37. Truro and Falmouth - Jayne Kirkham - Labour

  38. Uxbridge and South Ruislip - Danny Beales - Labour

  39. West Dumbartonshire - Douglas McAllister - Labour

  40. Wimbledon - Paul Kohler - Liberal Democrat

  41. Wokingham - Clive Jones - Liberal Democrat

Photo credit: We Own It

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Comments

  • Jen Williams 4 months ago

    Wow! I am very surprised at my MP, Luke Akehurst, supporting this. However, well done, Luke. As you say, it shows he listens.

    (One small point, the constituency is Durham North, or North Durham. Durham North West was subsumed under three other constituencies at the last election.)

    Reply

  • Julian Mitchell 4 months ago

    I see my MP -Alan Mak - did not attend. Typical.

    Reply

  • Margaret CUMMINGS 4 months ago

    Shame Lincolnshire was NOT represented

    Reply

  • Marco 4 months ago

    My MP did NOT attend his name Warinder Juss MP how sad
    they care so little, however, I suppose they are in a
    bit of mess after the resignations and defections for Farage
    from the taxing Reeves & Starmer.
    Very slippery the lot of em!

    Reply

  • C Jackson 4 months ago

    No, our MP Danny Gruger was not there.
    No surprise.

    Reply

  • Gowan Hewlett 4 months ago

    My MP J KYLE did NOT join your meeting.
    Yet Brighton is one of the most dense commuter cities for London .
    Point taken

    Reply

  • Kathryn Willis 4 months ago

    I did email my mp mark garnier mp for the wire forest but I just had another of his standard replies to saying his diary was full

    Reply

  • Robin Ford 4 months ago

    As an Isle of Wight natve, who never 3xpected to get a Labour MP, I'm delighted that Richard Quiglwy attended. Although IW has only 8 miles oftrackleft, mainland connections are vital to us. Thanks to all whoarranged this

    Reply

  • Robin Ford 4 months ago

    As an Isle of Wight natve, who never 3xpected to get a Labour MP, I'm delighted that Richard Quiglwy attended. Although IW has only 8 miles oftrackleft, mainland connections are vital to us. Thanks to all whoarranged this

    Reply

  • Tony Ormonde 4 months ago

    2MPs in my locality, one of them is definately doing her bit to represent people in Salford. RBL is at least trying to help Salfordians, the other one is MIA

    Reply

  • John A Hamilton 4 months ago

    I see my MP,Patricia Ferguson does not appear on your list -- despite my asking her to attend!

    Reply

  • Alfred Childs 4 months ago

    I worked on the Railway for over 30 years including the period of privatisation. I started work in 1977 The railway was sold off, franchised out in a manner which was and still is detrimental to the travelling public. Staff was more highly skilled when I started and many were able to carry out track safety while doing their station work as a leading railman or a booking clerk. All these jobs were hollowed out to increase profits

    Reply

  • Sharon Williams 4 months ago

    Not surprised my MP Yvette Cooper didn't attend, when Tories was in power she always responded to my email on any subject, but since Labour got in power she has gone deaf & totally ignoring her constituents emails or calls, she rarely attends her local office anymore but previously she was there every Friday, power certainly corrupts a select few & sadly she is one of them that is corrupted

    Reply

  • Sarah Lasenby 4 months ago

    This is a fantastic way to show us who is prepared to back public ownership of our railways

    Reply

  • Jonathan Whight 3 months ago

    All the best with your campaign. Don't forget to show your support for the upgrading of the North Ely and Haughley railway junctions.

    Reply