MP Simon Danczuk has fired back at Rochdale’s Lib Dem leader Andy Kelly after the councillor labelled him a ‘hypocrite of the highest order’.
The feud started after Mr Danczuk, speaking in a parliamentary debate on the cost of public transport, said that rail passengers in Rochdale are being ripped off by ticket prices 20% higher than commuters in neighbouring towns.
In response, Councillor Kelly cited Mr Danczuk’s fondness of first class rail travel.
He said: “His mock concern would be somewhat more believable if public records didn’t show that since 2014 – he has claimed over 100 First Class rail tickets.
“Whilst commuters in this Borough struggle to pay the high rail prices – here we have an MP who travels in luxury.
“His posh, First Class Rail Bill must run into tens of thousands, so to claim he is concerned over commuters is quite frankly a joke.”
In response to Councillor Kelly’s claims, Mr Simon Danczuk told MM: “The Lib Dems were in government for five years and helped influence the rail prices that Rochdale are now having to pay.
“If Andy Kelly had done more to dissuade his party from doing that, then Rochdale people would be paying a lot less than they are.”
A peak return fare from Bolton to Manchester Victoria will set Bolton constituents back £6.40.
Whereas those in Rochdale would pay £7.70 for the similar journey from Rochdale to Manchester Victoria.
Mr Danczuk said: “Many Rochdale residents travel by train at peak times to jobs in Manchester and elsewhere.
“Since 2010, rail fares across the UK have shot up by a staggering 25%.
“Taken together with the higher ticket prices in our town, hardworking Rochdale residents are left paying over the odds.”
Councillor Andy Kelly agreed that rail prices are too high and that some commuters have even swapped their shift patterns so they can travel ‘off-peak’.
This is becoming increasingly common after train services on Northern Rail Services introduced peak evening fares.
These fares apply between 4pm and 6:30pm on weekdays leading to some commuters in Rochdale paying anything up to 40-50% more for their evening journeys.
Councillor Andy Kelly added: “It’s clear that Northern Rail have seen an increase in revenue since the changes and I have written to them asking for a review of all fares in Rochdale.
“It’s time that we got a fair deal!”
Councillor Andy Kelly has now called on Mr Danczuk to show ‘solidarity’ to commuters and commit to not claiming any more first class tickets to London and travel standard class.
He said: “It is not right that hard pressed tax payers are footing Mr Danczuk’s exuberant tastes.
“The extra pound that our commuters pay is contributing to our MP’s full English Breakfast, complimentary newspaper and WIFI – anyone can see that is not right.”
Image courtesy of BBC Newsnight via. YouTube, with thanks.
