The Guardian is right to ask for nationalisation to be given a chance (Editorial, 17 May). The east coast mainline is of course the prime example of this. But we need to guard against any romantic notions. The nationalised industries were not all that our memories believe them to be. They grew to be inefficient and bloated. May I suggest introducing nationalisation in parts of most of the industries that were privatised under Mrs Thatcher. I say “parts” because I mean a mixed economy; that is, in any given market there be publicly owned corporations and private companies. Where would the BBC be without the breath of fresh air that was ITV? What would ITV’s quality levels be like if there wasn’t a BBC to compare and compete with?

The railways have their special problems like the other “unnatural monopolies”; for example, even where it is possible to have a choice of carrier over a given route, the pricing is fixed centrally. This is one throwback to British Rail that needs resolving. In other industries, how good it would be to have private companies, with the efficiency motive driving profits, competing against public enterprises, where service is the key aim.

Gary Osborne

Keighley, West Yorkshire

• I hope the rebranding of the east coast mainline as London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) doesn’t bring with it the reputation it had when my father worked for it. He always referred to it as the Late and Never Early Railway.

Mike Lowcock

Crewe, Cheshire

• You put your private enterprise in. You put your private enterprise out. In out, in out, shake it all about. You do the financial hokey cokey then you turn around. Is that what it’s all about, Mrs May?

Dr Nigel Mellor

Newcastle upon Tyne

• I’m concerned that the trains on the east coast route may soon have so many coats of paint that they may not fit in the tunnels.

Bob Ward

Leeds

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