More than 75% of the British public wants the railway network renationalised.

According to a Guardian/ICM poll published yesterday, only one in four voters back the Government's idea of public-private partnerships.

"The voters have finally consigned the Thatcherite idea of wholesale privatisation to the dustbin of history," commented The Guardian.

Only 6% of voters are now prepared to support the idea that private companies should always or usually run public services.

The public also feels strongly that those who work for public services are underpaid and undervalued.

Even 61% of Conservative supporters say they do not believe public services should be run for profit.

More than 70% of Tory voters want to see the railways renationalised.