wrote

It does make sense though - while there's a need to protect return on
investment, the current MoC rules on the West Coast do seem too stern,
especially in relation to the W&S and Chiltern services between the
West Midlands and London and with these Southern issues.

It is difficult to understand how preventing Southern carrying passengers
between Wembley Central and Watford Junction or Milton Keynes protects VWC
revenues, especially as the new VWC timetable will have very few trains
which stop at both Watford jn and Milton Keynes. I suppose a few passengers
might travel on a shorter cheaper route, rather than doubling back from
Euston. Passengers travelling between Milton Keynes and Wembley Central will
find it completely bizarre if there are through trains, but they are not
allowed to use them.

Peter