RMT slams George Osborne hypocrisy over rail 'Northern Powerhouse'

Rail Union RMT

The RMT union has criticised George Osborne accusing him of hypocrisy over rail 'Northern Powerhouse'.

General Secretary Mick Cash said: "The hypocrisy of former Tory Chancellor George Osborne as he tours the newsrooms fuelling the civil war inside the Tory Party is extraordinary.

"This is a man who was the key player in governments which presided over fragmented, cash-starved and privatised rail across the North and which put profiteering first while passengers were left rammed into clapped-out, lashed-up Pacer trains.

"The real legacy of George Osborne's period in government is axed electrification, modernisation and renewal programmes and private train companies given a political instruction to axe safety-critical guards from their trains.

"RMT will not sit back while the facts are ignored, history is rewritten and northern rail services are reduced to a de-staffed shambles. Our members are fighting for safe, accessible rail‎ services for all while the Tories are busy fighting amongst themselves."