LONDON – Sardines were brandished in Britain’s parliament on Tuesday when an opposition politician made a point about crammed conditions on commuter trains.
Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon was taking questions in the House of Commons when Peter Bone of the main opposition Conservatives whipped out a tin of sardines to make a vivid point.
‘Do you support the ‘In the Can’ campaign whereby rail users are encouraged to send a tin of sardines to the chief executive of East Midlands Trains because of the gross overcrowding?’ Bone asked.
Holding up the tin, he continued: ‘Or would you agree with me that this tin of sardines would be better presented to you for your inaction and complacency?’
Amid laughter in the chamber, Hoon replied: ‘I’m grateful to you for thinking about my health and welfare by ensuring that I eat oily fish.’
‘Having already received a tin of sardines from one of your colleagues, I would suggest that rather than sending it to me, you send it to an appropriate charity in your constituency.’
Hoon is accused of trying to price passengers off Britain’s much-criticised railways after train operators announced yet more inflation-busting fare increases for 2009.
With Britain heading towards recession, some rail season tickets will rise by more than 10 per cent in January – with the average price rise being six per cent.
East Midlands Trains links London with the east Midlands, Yorkshire and the east of England. It is owned by Scottish transport group Stagecoach, which also owns South West Trains and 49 per cent of Virgin Trains. – Nampa-AFP
