Public ownership of transport, as well as energy, water and
the postal system, has widespread public support, says a University of
Greenwich expert.
Professor David Hall from the university's business school says his new research shows a "substantial majority of UK voters support nationalisation".
He says: "This support is very consistent across all age groups, regions, class, income, gender, and ethnicity. It also extends across political parties; Conservative voters support public ownership in rail and water, and Lib Dem voters favour public ownership in energy, buses and post as well.
"This is a new 'political consensus', which has developed as a result of Labour policies and campaigns, against the background of continued economic and operational problems with privatised services."
Professor Hall's research comes as Northern rail has been brought into government control. "Even the Conservative party no longer offers a general defence of privatisation," he adds. "And since the election, the new government has nationalised a second rail franchise and is likely to do the same with others.
"The Tory manifesto actually mentions the need for accountability and giving power to local mayors – in effect, municipalisation.
"In other sectors it continues to rely on regulation but may come under greater pressures if regulators continue to be ineffective.
"The most natural conclusion for the Labour party is that these policies are an electoral asset, enjoying widespread public support even with current non-Labour voters. They are relevant to people's daily lives as consumers, and as key parts of economic and climate change policies."
