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Mark Harper on rail strike talks with RMT's Mick Lynch

The transport secretary said there was a “shared agreement” that the rail dispute had gone on for too long.

After meeting RMT leader Mick Lynch, Mark Harper said he had a "role in the process" but it was not for him to do the detailed negotiations - that was for unions and employers.

Train strikes: Minister hopes Christmas walkouts can be stopped

24 November 2022

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Aftermath of deadly Serbia railway station roof collapse

Exterior of Euston Station in 1969

When Euston Station was shiny and new

Rail users expressed their views on expanded fine zones

Fare dodgers targeted as rail fine zones expanded

Gethin Jones and his nephew Alby played the 'train game' by the railway

Watch TV's Gethin Jones and nephew play train game

Mark Harper

Labour's rail plan 'unfunded', says minister

Louise Haigh

Labour outlines plan for some rail public ownership

a gaggle of geese brings train to a standstill

'Chaos' as gaggle of Egyptian geese delays trains

Railway departure boards on a table

'I build railway departure boards at home'

Mark Harper MP

Tories 'don't have race problem', says Mark Harper

Oakengates landslip

Drone reveals scale of rail line landslip

Railway wagon

The revolution that began in Merthyr Tydfil

Person at a train station, looking at train listings

What days in December will trains be disrupted?

Mark Harper

Minister asked four times if he has confidence in Braverman

Crane lifts a large piece of viaduct into place.

Watch: HS2 viaduct built 'like giant Lego blocks'

Beds, Herts & Bucks

Aerial view of train coaches derailed and sitting on their side on tracks

Drone footage shows aftermath of India train crash

Archive of the Snowdon Mountain Railway

Full steam ahead! Train to Welsh mountain returns

Children could be seen running along the railway tracks

Children on tracks force train emergency stop

Aerial video shows new station platforms and tracks along a 21-mile (33km) section of railway.

Watch: East West Rail first stage nears completion

Beds, Herts & Bucks

man jumping across railway track

CCTV shows rail trespassing amid new warning

Viaduct over river being repaired with crane

Aerial video shows rail viaduct repair progress

Lindsay Hoyle dragged by both arms

Watch: Moment Speaker dragged to Commons chair

In a traditional part of the process, the successful candidate pretends to be reluctant to take up the role.

Correspondent Ben Chu

Quick take on Labour's energy plan

BBC Verify's Ben Chu on what to make of Labour’s plans to decarbonise UK electricity production.

Chris Mason and Mark Logan

Watch: Former Tory MP says he is backing Labour

The former Conservative MP for Bolton North East has told the BBC he now supports Labour.

Factory workers in Milton Keynes

Watch: Party leaders on the campaign trail

Political party leaders have been out and about campaigning ahead of the general election.

Keir Starmer

I want the highest quality candidates - Starmer

The Labour leader says he wants the "highest quality" candidates to put to the voters.

Carla Denyer

Greens launch campaign target of 'at least four' MPs

The Green Party of England and Wales launch their election campaign in Bristol.

Faiza Shaheen talking on BBC Newsnight

Labour candidate says she's been blocked from standing

Faiza Shaheen says she's was told she will not be Labour's candidate after allegedly liking antisemitic posts on X.

Rishi Sunak

Rishi Sunak tells Chris Mason: Yes, I am changing minds

The PM tells the BBC's political editor he is "thoroughly enjoying" himself out meeting voters in the election campaign.

Sir Keir Starmer wearing a suit and a brown tie

Not true Abbott barred from standing - Starmer

The Labour leader says no decision has been taken to bar Diane Abbott.

Keir Starmer

Starmer pleased Rayner has been 'vindicated'

Labour's leader says he always had confidence in his deputy with the row over her council house sale.

Ed Davey falls from a paddle board

Going, going, gone: Ed Davey takes a dip in Windermere

The Liberal Democrats leader was paddle boarding on Lake Windermere in the Lake District.

Rishi Sunak

Watch: PM criticises Sir Keir Starmer's campaign speeches

The prime minister accused Labour's Sir Keir Starmer of "not having the courage" to tell voters about Labour ideas.

Nigel Farage

Labour and Tories are both 'social democrats', says Farage

Nigel Farage was speaking in Dover, as part of his campaign for Reform UK.

Sir Keir Starmer

Starmer asked if there's a 'lack of enthusiasm' for Labour

Labour leader Keir Starmer is pressed on whether there's a perceived lack of enthusiasm for his party.

Rachel Reeves

Reeves: No return to austerity under Labour

The shadow chancellor is quizzed on her economic plans should Labour win the general election.

Rishi Sunak

Sunak 'disappointed' smoking ban bill did not get through

The PM says he "stepped up to do something that is bold" over his bid to phase out smoking.

Craig Mackinlay MP

Watch: Limb loss MP on his return to Parliament

Craig Mackinlay says he was met by "a storm" of noise when he returned to the House of Commons

Rishi Sunak

Oops! Sunak asks if Welsh are looking forward to Euros

On a campaign trip, the PM asks voters if they will watch the football tournament, even though Wales did not qualify.

Richard Tice

Tories 'terrified' of Reform Party - Richard Tice

The Reform Party leader says Rishi Sunak "bottled it" over calling a surprise general election for July.

Sir Keir Starmer

A vote for Labour is a vote to stop the chaos - Starmer

On the first full day of election campaigning the Labour leader says "nothing will change" if the Conservatives get back into power on July 5.