TRANSPORT Secretary Chris Grayling believes that old-fashioned anti-trade-union rhetoric can persuade Southern Rail passengers and taxpayers that franchisee Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) is doing its best in difficult circumstances.

But his accusation that the Labour Party and the rail unions are “colluding to bring trouble to passengers” won’t even convince his own MPs.

Tory MPs representing constituencies in the southern Home Counties have complaints over years from their voters condemning the shambles created by profit-obsessed privateers.