Foord calls on Tory MP to join campaign and stop the ticket office closures

Liberal Democrat MP Richard Foord has challenged neighbouring Conservative MP Simon Jupp to join the fight to stop ticket office closures, after Mr Jupp failed to speak out against the plans in a Parliamentary debate on the proposed closures.

In the debate on Wednesday 13th September, Richard Foord used the opportunity to raise the case of two constituents who had written to him about how they would be impacted by the proposal to close ticket offices across Devon – including those at Honiton, Feniton, Axminster and Tiverton Parkway, in his constituency.

Throughout the debate, MPs from all political parties, including several Conservative MPs, criticised the changes and called for the Government to take action to stop their closure.

By contrast Mr Jupp, who is the Private Parliamentary Secretary to the senior Transport Minister Mark Harper, said nothing in the debate and has so far refused to condemn the closures or call for the plans to be dropped.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror last month, Mr Jupp chose to stand by the Government, saying:
“The rail industry’s proposals for ticket offices should be about bringing staff out from behind the ticket office glass”.

This was a line repeated by Transport Minister Huw Merriman during Wednesday's debate. Richard Foord is now calling for Mr Jupp to commit to opposing the changes and show his commitment by openly calling for a change in approach.

Commenting, Richard Foord said:

“The proposal to close ticket offices has received almost universal condemnation from people of all political parties and none. The impact that this move would have on people trying to use our railways is plain for all to see.

“Government ideas about getting staff out from ticket offices are totally hollow and ignore the huge role these staff already play in helping ensure everyone – particularly those who are elderly or are living with a disability – can access our railways safely and confidently.

“That is why it is disappointing to see that Conservative MPs like Mr Jupp, who has a position working directly with the Secretary of State for Transport, are not really opposing these changes and simply repeating the Government talking points.

“We hear a lot of warm words and posing for photos from Mr Jupp about his close relationship with the Rail Minister. Now it’s time for him to prove it - and back it up with action. If he wants to help me stop these changes, he will join me in saying so publicly and put pressure on Ministers to act.

“Anything less shows that his supposed ‘influence’ is as hollow as our stations would feel, should these ticket office closures go ahead.”