Tories warn Labour would send Britain back to 'strike chaos' of 1970s

Fears that a Labour government would return Britain to 1970s-style 'strike chaos' were raised last night ahead of a fresh wave of walkouts by train drivers.

Tories claimed that union leaders - not Sir Keir Starmer - would make the decisions if he ever got into No 10.

To prove that, they seized on promises by Labour's transport spokesman Louise Haigh to work 'hand in glove' with train drivers' union Aslef. 

She made the comments in a 2022 interview for Aslef's own journal.

The warning comes ahead of a fresh wave of strikes by Aslef that will affect 16 different rail companies from Tuesday to Thursday this week.

Last night Tory MP Sara Britcliffe said: 'Labour truly are marching to the tune of their union paymasters. 

Fears that a Labour government would return Britain to 1970s-style 'strike chaos' were raised last night ahead of a fresh wave of walkouts by train drivers (file pic)

Tories claimed that union leaders - not Sir Keir Starmer - would make the decisions if he ever got into No 10 (file pic)

First they stood side by side on the picket lines with these strike barons, now they're plotting to have them around the Cabinet table for beer and bacon sandwiches.'

Ms Britcliffe, who sits on the Commons' transport committee and is MP for Hyndburn in Lancashire, added: 'If Labour ever get the keys to No 10, it would be right back to the strike chaos of the 1970s.'

However, Ms Haigh told The Mail on Sunday that Labour would 'reset industrial relations, but we will not shy away from the tough negotiations that are needed to deliver a railway that works for passengers, taxpayers and respects railway workers'.

An Aslef spokesman dismissed the Conservative claims as 'nonsense' from 'Tories heading for defeat'.

As well as the strikes, an overtime ban for drivers starts from tomorrow for six days.