Strivers Drive

In keeping with Wee Nicky's new attitude towards the special relationship, the Deputy Conservative doormat at the Ministry of Motoring has thrown a perfunctory sop to rail passengers. Norman Baker noted that the present situation was "not ideal", but also that it was "hugely complicated"; which is to say that rail company executives want their bonuses like everyone else who matters. Baker also drew the usual baffling distinction between passengers and taxpayers, apparently under the impression that rail travel is some sort of Cayman Islands for the proles. In fact, ticket prices are rising above inflation and wages are falling below; this has something to do with minimising the risk of emptiness in off-peak trains, an obvious necessity in these troubled times.