Train operators sponsoring political events, any precedent?

[DanNCL]

Seen on Twitter that Lumo and Hull Trains are sponsoring a leadership hustings event for the Conservative Party.

x.com

x.com

The first Conservative Party leadership hustings has been announced for the 17th of August

Includes an image which is where the sponsorship is mentioned, unable to copy that into the quote.

Any precedent for UK train operating companies to get involved in politics like this? Always thought they had to remain politically neutral.

 

[Dr Hoo]

Before 1948 the private railway companies supported political opposition to nationalisation.
Aren’t open access passenger and freight companies, suppliers and contractors generally ‘private’?

 

[skyhigh]

Always thought they had to remain politically neutral.

They are private open access companies, as with any other private business they can support or sponsor any party they want.

 

[DanNCL]

Before 1948 the private railway companies supported political opposition to nationalisation.
Aren’t open access passenger and freight companies, suppliers and contractors generally ‘private’?

They are private open access companies, as with any other private business they can support or sponsor any party they want.

I did wonder if those two being open access made a difference here.

 

[185]

They are private open access companies, as with any other private business they can support or sponsor any party they want.

Interestingly, there seems to be no-one running the Conservative associations who have shared that picture, I wondered at first if it could be a false slur operation done by the unions or those who want FirstGroup out. Surprisingly, upon contacting a number of FirstGroup press offices and points of contacts - no-one would deny it, so it seems genuine.

From one side, yes, they can politically support whoever they want. Just like Tory donor CAF - was Cracks and Fractures now Conservative as F... See More

From the other side, support them at your peril as the other party is in power.. who could legislate to remove your right to operate parasitic services.

 

[DanNCL]

Interestingly, there seems to be no-one running the Conservative associations who have shared that picture, I wondered at first if it could be a false slur operation done by the unions or those who want FirstGroup out. Surprisingly, upon contacting a number of FirstGroup press offices and points of contacts - no-one would deny it, so it seems genuine.

From one side, yes, they can politically support whoever they want. Just like Tory donor CAF - was Cracks and Fractures now Conservative as F... See More

From the other side, support them at your peril as the other party is in power.. who could legislate to remove your right to operate parasitic services.

That’s a good point actually. And nothing directly from Lumo or Hull Trains either.

If that’s seen by Labour as First Group as a whole supporting the Tory party then one wonders if it might be used, rightly or wrongly, as another excuse to strip the Avanti contract even quicker. Well aware of the legal aspect but I think we all know that governments in this country seem to think they’re above the law!

 

[nw1]

Seen on Twitter that Lumo and Hull Trains are sponsoring a leadership hustings event for the Conservative Party.

Risky, given that both are minority operators with plenty of competition and thus those who strongly dislike the Conservatives could take their business elsewhere.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

If that’s seen by Labour as First Group as a whole supporting the Tory party then one wonders if it might be used, rightly or wrongly, as another excuse to strip the Avanti contract even quicker. Well aware of the legal aspect but I think we all know that governments in this country seem to think they’re above the law!

Risky, given that both are minority operators with plenty of competition and thus those who strongly dislike the Conservatives could take their business elsewhere.

Indeed so.

 

[185]

Been unofficially told FG have withdrawn support, sounds like someone in head office found out and hit the roof.

 

[signed]

I am struggling to see would have be/is the goal behind it?

Make people that despise trains to take the trains despite doing nothing for those trains as a political party?

 

[Busaholic]

Been unofficially told FG have withdrawn support, sounds like someone in head office found out and hit the roof.

Heads should roll, I'd have thought. WorstGroup never learn, do they?

 

[Andyh82]

Heads should roll, I'd have thought. WorstGroup never learn, do they?

Has there been an incident like this before that they should have learned from?

 

[Busaholic]

Has there been an incident like this before that they should have learned from?

Ever heard of Margaret Thatcher's no. 2 cheerleader Moir Lockhead?