London Tube drivers would be ditched under bombshell plans as Sadiq Khan slammed

Tube drivers would be ditched under Reform plans to automate trains as London Underground staff cripple the capital with strike action in a dispute over pay and hours. Reform UK's sole London Assembly Member, Alex Wilson, told the Express that his party would maintain and use the existing provisions of the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act to maintain a service for London's commuters. He added: "If the Act has been repealed before a change of government, we would look to reinstate similar provisions."

In the longer term, Reform would work towards "progressive automation of Tube lines", which would involve getting rid of drivers.

The Express understands that the Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, who is also Chair of Transport for London (TfL) is not currently pushing for fully automated Tube services, as it would cost billions extra more in terms of new trains and technology. The Mayor said in 2019: "The London Underground system is an extremely complex environment, in particular, the deep tube lines. For reasons of safety, they are not suitable for driverless trains and there are no plans for their introduction."

Mr Wilson also lashed out at Sir Sadiq.

He said: "Another day, another strike and still Sadiq Khan is missing in action and has no grip on London's transport chaos.

"Endless disruption, endless excuses.

"Londoners deserve a mayor who'll stand up for passengers, stop strikes and get London moving."

A spokesperson for the Mayor of London, said: "Nobody wants to see strike action or disruption for Londoners.

"Strikes have a serious impact on London's businesses and commuters.

"The Mayor has ensured that TfL is ready to restart talks with the RMT so that we can find a resolution to this dispute."

TfL has met with the RMT union four times - on August 18, August 27, September 2 and September 3 - since they announced strike action.

The authority remains open to discussions to avert strike action for the rest of this week, it is understood.

Yesterday, RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey called on Sir Sadiq to attend a summit with the union to "find a resolution urgently to the escalating London Underground dispute".

Speaking at TUC Congress in Brighton, Mr Dempsey told delegates: "Instead of going on social media, instead of the old tired clichés, telling trades unionists to get round the table, you're the Mayor of London, you're the Chair of TfL.

"Stop going on social media, invite us to the meeting, let's have a discussion, because I want to know what is going on in London."