Gordon Brown era offers hope that Labour can get train times back on track

Figures show how rail punctuality has been in decline since last Labour PM, with Sunak's tenure a recent low

As commuters return en masse after summer holidays next week, the political omens - and the data - afford some hope that a new Labour government may change rail for the better. Say what you like about Gordon Brown, but at least he made the trains run on time.

Analysis of official statistics throughout the tenure of the last seven prime ministers show that punctuality was highest, on average, under the last Labour PM in power.