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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Aletha Adu Political correspondent

Former Tory rail minister says he understands Labour deal with unions

LNER trains lined up at platforms at King's Cross station
LNER (London North Eastern Railway) train drivers who are members of the Aslef union are to go on strike. Photograph: Vuk Valcic/Zuma Press Wire/Rex/Shutterstock

A former Conservative minister has called for an end to the demonisation of train drivers and said he understood why the new Labour government had “decided to cut a deal” with unions.

Huw Merriman, who served as the rail minister for the entirety of Rishi Sunak’s premiership, apologised for failing to bring in workplace reforms and his inability to reach an agreement to end the strikes.

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