The politics of HS2 are tough for Boris Johnson, particularly since so many Tory MPs hate the £100 billion-plus value, the destruction of historic
The politics of HS2 are tough for Boris Johnson, particularly since so many Tory MPs hate the £100 billion-plus value, the destruction of historic pasture and woodland and the perceived hurt to their rural constituents.
However the larger political consideration for Boris ‘another-blue-brick-in-the-red-wall’ Johnson is the notion of whether or not at the moment’s modified model of HS2 is seen as an upgrading or downgrading of the portion north of Birmingham.
His colleagues insist the brand new plan will probably be central to his guarantees to rework each the infrastructure and the prospects of the North.
They declare what’s going to occur is that HS2 to Manchester and Leeds – what is called HS2b – will probably be way more carefully built-in into the so-called Northern Powerhouse.
As I perceive it, that is about ensuring the high-speed line is a part of a brand new community of railway strains ‘connecting all of the northern cities’ (within the phrases of a authorities supply).
So HS2 to Birmingham will probably be given the inexperienced gentle. HS2a from West Midlands to Crewe will even be authorised. And HS2b will probably be reworked as a part of a bolder regeneration scheme, a type of ‘way more jam tomorrow’ for components of England north of Birmingham.
It can all sound bold. However provided that shovels-in-the-ground work on these Northern Powerhouse tasks is years away, numerous belief will probably be wanted that one more southern PM gained’t finally betray the North (once more).
PS. It’s possible you’ll keep in mind that the Northern Powerhouse is the kid of former chancellor George Osborne. However he can count on little gratitude or reward from Boris Johnson.
And I’m advised he may have no enhanced position in these bold new plans.
The purpose is that Dominic Cummings, the PM’s chief aide, blames Osborne – amongst others – for the large HS2 value over-runs, which have seen its estimated value treble to greater than £100 billion.
Here’s what a ‘Quantity 10 supply’ says about him: ‘Osborne is a kind of most responsible of blowing tens of billions on HS2 and it might be felony to let him anyplace close to any main venture ever once more.’
Robert Peston is ITV’s Political Editor. This text initially appeared on his ITV information blog.