Ruth Kelly - opportunity knocks!
The Prime Minister is attending the Labour party conference. He addresses the Conference on Tuesday. On Wednesday, he flies to New York where he will remain until Friday.
While the Old Man's away why not slip in something radical - how about announcing funding for electrification of both the MML and GWML ?
From our man at 222 Marylebone Road
Wednesday morning sees the brothers and sisters debate Transport at t'Conference.
Expect Saint Ruth of the Catenary, the Apostle of the Pantograph, to say something positive about electrification.
No doubt short of any financial commitment.
Telegrammed from our man in 222 Marylebone Road
Gordon Brown, speaking at last week's Motorshow, said that the rising cost of oil meant that road transport had reached "an historic point'" at which green alternatives should be considered.
"This has opened up a huge opportunity for technological innovation. It is a once-in-a-generation opportunity" claimed the PM. 
Since the same argument applies to rail, can we finally expect the PM to support our very own "Apostle of the Pantograph" (pictured above) and commit to a rolling programme of electritication?
Telegrammed from our man in 222 Marylebone Road
All the transport hacks were out in force last Wednesday at Ruth Kelly's much postponed 'get to know you' party.
As it is over a year since she was appointed Secretary of State (in June '07) many attended in error, believing it to be her leaving do.
With Rail Minister Tom Harris (unsuccessfully) pounding the Glasgow East pavements, Saint Ruth-of-Sparks had to get down and dirty with the trainspotting fraternity.
Congratulated on her rejection of the Lambirth Heresy (aka Railways White Paper) our very own "Apostle of the Pantograph" was heard to remark ruefully 'It was published three weeks after I arrived.'
Nothing like passing the buck downward, especially when your rail deputy is not present to defend himself.
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