Starmer accuses Tories of ‘pouring petrol on the fire’ of rail dispute

Labour’s leader has accused the Government of “pouring petrol on the fire” over its handling of the rail dispute. Sir Kier Starmer made a speech criticising the Conservatives for their “lack of action” to avert next week’s strikes. He told the Labour local government association conference in Warwick that Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Transport Secretary Grant Shapps want the strikes to go ahead next Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.