A question I would like asking too, though maybe on this forum at least, I've put that question too many times in different contextsWhile Burnham hasn't mentioned delays outside Northern's control, it should be noted when Chiltern wanted TPE 170s they got them despite TPE still needing them, when Scotrail wanted Northern 158s they got them despite Northern still needing them, yet when Northern wanted GWR 150s they secured them and then subleased them back to GWR due to GWR still needing them and consequently delayed their own enhancements. Why should the Chilterns, South West and Scotland get different treatment to the North?
You make a very good point. Northern has not retained nor received what it needs to run a franchise across such a vast geographical area. Coupled with the ongoing RMT action, and you get a picture of a company without the tools to do the job. Whether you agree with franchising or not, there is something wrong with how Northern has been handed these particular cards.