Andy Street, the Tory mayor of West Midlands, has issued a stern warning to Rishi Sunak, suggesting that renouncing the Manchester leg of the High-Speed 2 (HS2) project would equate to “cancelling the future”. This comes at a time when insinuations are intensifying around the prime minister’s proposed withdrawal from the critical high-speed rail line project.
The prime minister’s official residence, Downing Street, has maintained a standard response, stating that “no final decisions have been taken”. Yet, Street has passionately implored the head of government to remain committed to the project, hinting that a fallout could potentially mar the UK’s globally recognized reputation as a promising investment destination.
Gossip about a possible decision has run rampant at the Conservative party conference in Manchester. Street, seizing an impromptu press conference opportunity, cautioned the prime minister about the repercussions of giving up on this once-in-a-generation opportunity.
Street also confirmed that he has been brainstorming a new funding model for the project that includes more private sector participation. While acknowledging the soaring costs, he stressed the importance of a thorough reassessment rather than a hasty abandonment.
The unfolding drama elicited a response from Greg Hands, Conservative Party chairman, who stated that ministers were in the process of examining the evidence, seeking to establish value for money before deciding on the fate of HS2.
In the last few days, the prime minister and Jeremy Hunt, the chancellor, have steadily sidestepped questions regarding the future of the HS2. Hunt, notably, made no mention of the project in his keynote address at the conference, diverting his attention instead to a flurry of other issues.
Meanwhile, Louise Haigh, Labour’s shadow transport secretary, expressed her concern about the situation, stating that the ongoing imbroglio only highlighs the discord within the Conservative party, compromising the nation’s forward trajectory.
Andy Burnham, the Labour mayor of Manchester, voiced his disappointment at a fringe meeting of the Tory conference over the HS2 project potentially being abandoned. He challenged the rights of the Tory government to treat the people of Greater Manchester and Northern England as second-class citizens.
All this adds fuel to the speculation fire that has been burning for the past few weeks about the future of HS2. While it is clear that the HS2 is primed for substantial changes, the process of getting those changes approved internally is proving to be untidy. This, in turn, is spilling over into the public view, and dominating the Tories’ annual party conference.
