Time to test the track record of privatisation | Letters

Brian Bean looks forward to the gradual renationalisation of the railways as set out in Labour’s manifesto, while Paul Plummer defends the current systemThe Conservatives claim to favour market competition. By gradually taking the existing rail franchises back under public control when each runs out (Report, 11 May), we will be able to compare how well public and private management of this key public service perform. As franchises terminate at different dates over the next 10 to 15 years,