On Wednesday 11 June the Government voted to block Conservative proposals to enshrine veterans’ rights to a railcard in law.
Conservative MPs were joined in the voting lobby by MPs from all political parties but ultimately 266 Labour MPs voted to block the proposals, which had been put forward by Conservative MP Jerome Mayhew and was backed by Caroline and Conservative frontbenchers.
The veterans railcard was brought in by the previous Conservative Government and on average saves holders £300 a year.
The Government had tried to claim that there were no plans to remove the veterans railcard, but Transport Minister Keir Mather admitted in the House of Commons that Great British Railways, the new body responsible for operating both rail services and rail infrastructure, should be allowed to “adapt its customer offer”. The Conservatives argued that to settle on the side of flexibility risked the nationalised service removing the veterans railcard in the future, and that cementing the discount scheme in law provided certainty for veterans.
Over 130 people signed a petition launched by Caroline to raise awareness of the campaign for a legal right to veterans’ railcard.
Conservative Shadow Transport Secretary Richard Holden said: “If Labour really cared about passengers, wallets and purses, Labour Members would have backed our amendments on railcards to protect young people and our brave veterans. We know that “no plans” does not mean no: just ask farmers and small businesses up and down the country about the promises from this Labour Government.”
Dame Caroline Dinenage, Member of Parliament for Gosport, said: “Veterans have been an afterthought to this Government. Discount schemes are there for those who have the least ability to pay, and I know that the savings veterans make with the railcard are a lifeline in a cost-of-living crisis.
“With nationalisation creating uncertainty for the future performance of our rail services, enshrining the veterans railcard in law would safeguard veterans’ access to rail travel. The Government says it has “no plans” to remove the veterans railcard, but 16 years as an MP has taught me “no plans” today doesn’t mean “no plans” in the future.”
