Jack Abbott, MP for Ipswich, has written to train operator CrossCountry, demanding improvements to its train services despite the operator not running any services in Suffolk.
The big picture: Jack Abbott joined Transport Secretary Louise Haigh in criticising train operator CrossCountry's performance.
However, the MP seems to have overlooked a crucial detail: CrossCountry doesn't operate any services in Suffolk.
CrossCountry operates routes primarily in the Midlands, North of England, South and Scotland. Its nearest service to Ipswich is Cambridge, but it only runs to the Midlands and Stansted Airport.
What Labour said: Louise Haigh MP, Transport Secretary said of CrossCountry two days ago: “This is not the standard we expect, or passengers deserve, but this is the mess we’ve inherited, where our railways are understaffed and lurching from one crisis to the next.
“We insisted CrossCountry put on more services than their original plan, but the reduced timetable is certainly not satisfactory.
“CrossCountry is persistently one of the worst performing operators, with record delays, cancellations and consistent overcrowding. That is why I have also instigated a remedial plan - to improve services in the long run.
“There can be no excuse for this sort of dire service, and it will not be tolerated under this Government.”
Jack issued his own strongly-worded response: “For far too long, CrossCountry has let down passengers, and failed to provide the level of service that Ipswich deserves.
“Reliable train services are crucial to ensuring access to work, education and leisure opportunities across the East of England.
“I have asked for regular updates on the progress of CrossCountry’s remedial plan, and immediate mitigation factors.
“I will continue to work with the operator and the Department for Transport to ensure passengers in Ipswich get a better deal.”
Questioning the strength of his statement: Ipswich.co.uk immediately reached out to Jack's team, asking for clarification on what CrossCountry services affected Ipswich residents.
We were informed that "there are a number of constituents who use their East of England route who this will affect" and that "this is why Jack has written to CrossCountry." Although they "don’t have exact numbers."
Pushing a little harder: Unconvinced by the rationale, we questioned the motivation behind such a strong response but have yet to receive further comment.
OpinionWhy it matters: With the Towns Deal and Ipswich in the Premier League, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in our town.
While some will argue that the unknown number of Ipswich residents who regularly travel by train from Cambridge to the Midlands deserve representation, many others will dismiss it as either an embarrassing mistake from an MP who fought his election campaign based on his local knowledge or a blatant example of prioritising political point-scoring over genuine constituent needs.
I hope such conviction will be shown when addressing our town's many more pressing issues.
The bottom line: While train service improvements are a valid concern for Ipswich residents, Ipswich commuters might be better served if their MP focused on Greater Anglia, the operator of all the trains in our county.
