Labour's Transport Secretary has launched a scathing attack on her Conservative counterpart following the government's landmark decision to freeze rail fares in last week's Budget.
The Budget Announcement That Sparked the Clash
In a significant move that marked the first rail fare freeze in three decades, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced there would be no increase in train ticket prices. The decision came as a direct response to years of escalating costs for commuters across Britain.
The political drama unfolded when Shadow Transport Secretary Richard Holden had previously written to Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, urging her not to raise fares by more than the Retail Price Index rate of 4.8%.
A Personal and Political Jab
Ms Alexander's response contained a particularly personal element, referencing Mr Holden's controversial move from his former North West Durham constituency to the safer seat of Basildon and Billericay in Essex before the general election - a manoeuvre critics labelled a 'chicken run'.
In her sharply worded letter, Alexander wrote: "I appreciate that you will have spent a considerable amount of time travelling the country in the run-up to last year's General Election." She added that she was pleased train travel would now be substantially cheaper across the country, whether in his old northern constituency or his new Essex seat.
The Financial Reality for Commuters
The Transport Secretary highlighted what a 4.8% fare rise would have meant for actual commuters, noting that passengers with an annual season ticket between Basildon and London would have faced an additional £179 in costs.
She didn't hold back in criticising the Conservative record on rail fares, stating: "Under your party, fares rocketed by 60% and passengers were left to pay more and more every year."
Alexander particularly targeted Mr Holden's reference to the previous government limiting fare increases to 5.9% when RPI inflation reached 12.3% during Liz Truss's premiership, questioning whether "raising fares by only half" of inflation during a cost-of-living crisis was something to boast about.
Political Fallout and Local Reaction
The exchange comes amid ongoing local controversy about Mr Holden's selection for the Basildon and Billericay seat, which one cabinet member described as having "gone down like a bucket of cold sick" with Essex Tories.
Mr Holden had previously defended his position by pointing out that fares had increased by 5.9% while RPI reached 12.3% under the Conservatives, arguing this represented relative restraint.
However, Alexander countered that any fare increase during the cost-of-living crisis was unacceptable, stating firmly: "After years of relentless fare hikes, that's not something the Labour Government was prepared to accept."
Chancellor Rachel Reeves reinforced the government's position, saying the fare freeze would "ease the pressure on household finances and make travelling to work, school or to visit friends and family that bit easier."
The political clash underscores the ongoing battle between the parties over transport policy and cost of living measures, with commuters ultimately set to benefit from the first rail fare freeze in a generation.
