Shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick’s recent video confronting fare evaders on the London Underground has sparked debate. He hopes the video, viewed over 10 million times on X, will “shame people into action,” stating that fare evasion, alongside graffiti and disruptive behavior on public transport, is eroding societal standards.
When questioned about the role of austerity, Jenrick acknowledged past governmental mistakes, while Transport for London (TfL) labeled fare evasion “unacceptable,” highlighting their expanded investigative team targeting repeat offenders.
Jenrick’s video, filmed at Stratford station, shows him directly challenging individuals evading fares. His accompanying social media post criticized London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s perceived inaction. Jenrick expressed frustration with the lack of enforcement by TfL and the police, emphasizing the unfairness to fare-paying passengers. He admitted he hadn’t sought TfL’s permission to film on their property, stating that their focus should be on lawbreakers, not on procedural rules.
TfL recently launched a new initiative using data and CCTV to combat fare evasion, aiming to reduce the evasion rate from 3.4% to 1.5% by 2030. They emphasize safety concerns for staff, noting that fare disputes account for roughly half of all aggressive incidents. The Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA) stressed the need for properly trained enforcement personnel, rather than relying on social media campaigns by MPs.
Treasury Minister Darren Jones contrasted Jenrick’s actions with Labour’s plans to bolster neighborhood policing. Speculation about Jenrick using these videos to further his political ambitions persists, given similar videos targeting littering and tool theft. While Jenrick denied aspirations for party leadership, stating Kemi Badenoch would lead the Conservatives into the next election, his recent lunch with independent MP Rupert Lowe fueled speculation about potential party realignment. Jenrick expressed openness to welcoming “small-c conservatives” into the party but clarified that neither he nor Lowe had initiated discussions about party membership.