I think that’s not true. I think most people agree (or at least don’t strongly disagree) with all this stuff. In the UK (where Mr Monbiot is writing) a large majority want the railways renationalised and improved and extended. They support improving public transport at the expense of private transport.

The minority who oppose it include powerful vested interests. So the majority of public discourse opposes it. So there’s an illusion that it’s unpopular.