LABOUR would put passengers first on the railways should they be elected, the shadow rail minister said on a visit to Bournemouth.

Stephen Morgan was at Pokesdown Station on Wednesday, June 26, as the general election campaign continues.

He was supporting Tom Hayes and Jessica Toale, Labour candidates in Bournemouth East and Bournemouth West.

He said: “Seats like these are seats we’ve got to win to form a government next week.

“People are telling us in Bournemouth that they want change, but to deliver that change, people need to vote for it on July 4, and that’s why its brilliant to be here to support Tom and Jess to talk to people and convince them why they’ve got to elect Labour next week.”

(Image: Tom Hayes)

He said the party wants to see ‘the most radical transformative change’ in the railways, should they be elected.

“If you talk to any passenger, they tell you about the record numbers of cancellations and delays, the fact that fares have gone up much higher than wages, and the fragmented way that trains currently operate is having a real consequence on commuters and those that want to rely on our trains,” Mr Morgan said.

He said the party would bring the railways back into public ownership and focus on prioritising passengers first.

Pokesdown Station has been the centre of an ongoing campaign to install lifts at the station, as currently access to platforms are by stairs only.

Mr Morgan said Mr Hayes would be a ‘tireless champion’ on improving the accessibility issues at the station, having experienced caring for his two disabled parents growing up.

“I know that he will champion that and if I am the minister responsible for rail, then I would want to work with him to improve accessibility,” Mr Morgan said.

“I believe that people should have dignity in accessing our railway services and I can see here already that there are real accessibility issues getting to the platform.

“So it’s something I would want to work closely with him on to bring about the change that people so desperately need in this community.”

A full list of candidates standing in Bournemouth East and Bournemouth West can be found here.