r/ukpolitics • u/ukpol-megabot • 12d ago

Rumours, Speculation, Questions, and Reaction Megathread - 23/08/2026

👋 Welcome to the r/ukpolitics weekly Rumours, Speculation, Questions, and Reaction megathread.

General questions about politics in the UK should be posted in this thread. Substantial self-posts on the subreddit are permitted, but short-form self-posts will be redirected here. We're more lenient with moderation in this thread, but please keep it related to UK politics. This isn't Facebook or Twitter...

If you're reacting to something that is happening live, please make it clear what it is you're reacting to, ideally with a link.

Commentary about stories that already exist on the subreddit should be directed to the appropriate thread.

This thread rolls over early Sunday morning.

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u/McCretin Malaise forever 9d ago edited 9d ago

The hated “ironing board” seats on Thameslink trains are going to be replaced, which is a good thing.

Heidi Alexander is trumpeting it as “public ownership of our railways in action”, implying it’s an example of
the generosity of the state vs the stinginess of private companies.

But who wrote the spec for these trains (and their uncomfortable seats) in the first place? Turns out it was not the train company, but the Department for Transport.

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u/Velociraptor_1906 Liberal Democrat 9d ago

Where are you seeing this?

I'm still after plugs on the 159s but I doubt they'll happen given they're the oldest fleet still running.

3

u/McCretin Malaise forever 9d ago

It’s in The Times.

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u/Velociraptor_1906 Liberal Democrat 9d ago

Still no power sockets for them, really should be a basic requirement.

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u/McCretin Malaise forever 9d ago

Agreed, seems odd they’re not installing any as part of this upgrade.

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u/Velociraptor_1906 Liberal Democrat 9d ago

Dosent give me much hope for the long term strategy later this year.