Never heard of him but enjoyed watching the video. Now subscribed to his channel.
Not sure he knows what he's talking about though. He sounded pretty clear that "none of the work going on around Lichfield is about connecting to the West Coast Line" but that runs counter to everything I've read including this today from the Government:
"23.So we will complete Phase 1 of HS2 between London and the West Midlands as planned. There will be two branches: one to central Birmingham; and one to Handsacre, near Lichfield, meaning passengers will be able to travel on HS2 trains through to Manchester, Liverpool and Scotland, joining the West Coast Main Line for the rest of their journeys."
So who is right?
I live very close to that section. Lots of disruption on the roads.
I think we can define what 'Sunakism' is - making Britain poorer, meaner and less well-connected in the hope that there's a short-term gain in narrowing people's horizons and expectations, and salting the Earth so it becomes much more difficult for their opponents to offer the hope of something better.
Smart countries build on their long-term commitments rather than discard them.
So today I confirm that because of this decision, alongside Sizewell C, we will deliver the core Northern Powerhouse Rail. HS2 to Manchester. East West Rail.
I'm expecting EWR to get canned as well. After all, Oxford and Cambridge aren't 'north'.
To all the the lovely people who complained about HS2 not being in their area: just wait until projects in your area are proposed, and people object to those because it's not in their area.
Smart countries build on their long-term commitments rather than discard them.
So today I confirm that because of this decision, alongside Sizewell C, we will deliver the core Northern Powerhouse Rail. HS2 to Manchester. East West Rail.
Labour's response to HS2, when it comes, will be interesting. I've just been looking at the Shadow Cabinet, and while Starmer is obviously at the London end, most of the other big players represent Northern seats that are directly or indirectly affected by the HS2 decision. (Rayner, Reeves, Nandy, Phillipson, Cooper, Miliband, Haigh). I suspect they'll be bending Starmer's ear.
That was possibly the most politically inept Tory leadership speech I've heard since Turning Up The Volume.
For reasons I won’t explain on PB, I was actually in the hall for that speech. It was poor, but at least it was memorable. And IDS had some passion - even if it didn’t convey well.
Labour's response to HS2, when it comes, will be interesting. I've just been looking at the Shadow Cabinet, and while Starmer is obviously at the London end, most of the other big players represent Northern seats that are directly or indirectly affected by the HS2 decision. (Rayner, Reeves, Nandy, Phillipson, Cooper, Miliband, Haigh). I suspect they'll be bending Starmer's ear.
The obvious political answer is to do both legs of HS2 north and further improvements to northern infrastructure. After all, HS2 north spending won't be towards the end of a first term, and planning for major infrastructure can easily take ten to fifteen years (as HS2 has). Therefore pushing it out to another government...
This is a black day for the governance of this country.
Shocking that a short-lease PM can tear up twenty years of planning and building and cross-party agreement in space of a conference.
The precedent was set when the Leeds leg went, to barely a murmur. The people bellyaching now should have fought it tooth and nail then instead of being relieved their patch was safe.
Yes. This is where the trouble really started.
I could be sold on the concept of updated, high speed rail capacity linking the north east and north west with London (and eventually supported by an upgraded cross Pennine route improving links everywhere between Liverpool to Newcastle/York/Hull). Once bits started being cut away was when the rot set in. Much easier to start chopping the rest once you start abandoning parts of the plan. The pledge and promise was as much about Yorkshire and the North East as it was Manchester and the North West.
Ben Houchen was making just that point on Sky saying it is not all about Manchester
If we are talking Teeside then it's all about Ben.
FIFA lifts Russian ban from international football
That is controversial
They have also decided that the 2030 World Cup will be played in Spain, Portugal, Morocco and….. South America. Genius, no issues with increased carbon footprint, different seasons and jet lag.
They are only playing the opening three matches in South America as a nod to it being the centenary of the first World Cup in Uruguay. It's a bit of a faff for the teams involved, but that's about it and actually the bulk of the tournament is in a pretty small area (particularly compared with the 2026 World Cup).
I'm no fan of FIFA (not least on the lifting the Russian ban) but struggle to get worked up about the 2030 World Cup decision.
Comments
To all the the lovely people who complained about HS2 not being in their area: just wait until projects in your area are proposed, and people object to those because it's not in their area.
You'll get what you deserve. Nothing.
Though that means finding another replacement, almost certainly as a caretaker. Gove?
(Suspect the Conservatives and Sunak are trapped together for the next fifteen months. Unfortunately, we're all trapped there with them.)
New Thread
Ain’t.
Gonna.
Happen.
They're ALL SCRAPPED!
Whoever arranged for it to be A BS exam system had fun, at least.
I'm no fan of FIFA (not least on the lifting the Russian ban) but struggle to get worked up about the 2030 World Cup decision.