The prize has been awarded - MTR Laing will run London Overground [1], the new franchise consisting of the already-private Silverlink North London Line and the to-be-privatised East London Line.

RMT condemned the decision [2], Bob Crow rightly stating that "However it is dressed up, today's announcement means that the operations of London Underground are now being dragged down the same failed path of privatisation that has already so disastrously undermined the national railway network." TSSA had nothing to say, and ASLEF is still not sure that it is actually privatisation [3] even now the private operator has been named!

RMT and TSSA had a joint campaign against this sell-off, but it has withered on the vine and urgently needs reviving. And ASLEF needs to wake up and smell the coffee.