Interesting that LDs are more evenly split between 2023 and Spring 2024, whereas Labour voters are much more in the "election asap" bucket. I wonder why?
Yes. I think if this downward spiral is not arrested, Sunak may end up with little choice but to go for May whatever.
You say he wouldn't risk an election if he can wait for things to improve, but if waiting for things to improve risks him not getting to the election at all because the locals are unpromising and the letter writers pens are being unfurled, that would be a worse fate for him than the risk of a heavy GE defeat.
Oh my god how is it the night before the prime minister’s speech and this level of chaos and speculation regarding the country’s biggest infrastructure project is still trundling on
Oh my god how is it the night before the prime minister’s speech and this level of chaos and speculation regarding the country’s biggest infrastructure project is still trundling on
Yes. I think if this downward spiral is not arrested, Sunak may end up with little choice but to go for May whatever.
You say he wouldn't risk an election if he can wait for things to improve, but if waiting for things to improve risks him not getting to the election at all because the locals are unpromising and the letter writers pens are being unfurled, that would be a worse fate for him than the risk of a heavy GE defeat.
Would it be worse? Maybe but I'm not convinced. It is not even certain Rishi would be ousted unless an alternative leader polls better.
Oh my god how is it the night before the prime minister’s speech and this level of chaos and speculation regarding the country’s biggest infrastructure project is still trundling on
Not too worried about HS2 in the long-term, although I am disappointed by this decision.
The really important one to build it to Euston has been made and it can always be revitalised and extended from its core base to Crewe, Manchester and Leeds in future, which might even happen in the next Parliament.
I suspect it would be rescoped/reconstructed first though.
When you stop a megaproject for a year it normally creates a delay of about five years because you can't just press and unpress the pause button; all the set up and mobilisation costs are sunk and you have to go back to near enough square one and rerecruit/reprocure and get the whole delivery organisation all set up again in a competitive market, and that takes time.
So HS2 can happen in the longer-term (still an option) but this punts it way into the future.
Oh my god how is it the night before the prime minister’s speech and this level of chaos and speculation regarding the country’s biggest infrastructure project is still trundling on
Oh my god how is it the night before the prime minister’s speech and this level of chaos and speculation regarding the country’s biggest infrastructure project is still trundling on
I know it sounds like an obvious point but wtaf doesn’t bear overstating
Thing is... in his head, it probably all made sense.
Cut expensive thing that he never particularly wanted anyway, use some of the savings for little things to keep the little people happy and the rest for other things he wanted, like tax cuts. It would be popular and a lovely surprise to tell everyone about in his speech.
It's just that that version of reality got badly duffed up when it met other peoples' realities. And whilst some "you can't do that"s are just people defending their turf, other "you can't do that"s are because you really can't do that without breaking something important.
Not too worried about HS2 in the long-term, although I am disappointed by this decision.
The really important one to build it to Euston has been made and it can always be revitalised and extended from its core base to Crewe, Manchester and Leeds in future, which might even happen in the next Parliament.
I suspect it would be rescoped/reconstructed first though.
When you stop a megaproject for a year it normally creates a delay of about five years because you can't just press and unpress the pause button; all the set up and mobilisation costs are sunk and you have to go back to near enough square one and rerecruit/reprocure and get the whole delivery organisation all set up again in a competitive market, and that takes time.
So HS2 can happen in the longer-term (still an option) but this punts it way into the future.
It's an act of gross vandalism by Sunak. He should delay any decision until after a GE. By all means put what he intends to do in his manifesto. But as it stands he's just going to cause 5-6 years of pointless delay, given Labour will reinstate the Manchester link after the GE.
Considering OGH's many contributions AND ongoing struggles of UK to connect with itself, respectfully pray, that when my long-standing dream of a Pneumatic Tube connecting Woolwich with Wick in less than ten minutes - WOOSH! - that the Bedford way station be named the Smithson Spout.
Assuming a straight line distance of 800km, and uniform acceleration across the whole first half (and uniform deceleration in the second half), your acceleration would need to be a nippy 8.9ms-2, similar to acceleration due to gravity on earth. When you reach halfway (Newcastle, since you ask), you'll be hurtling along a little under 10000kmh-1.
Just one problem: if there's air in the tube, your body will fragment and you'll arrive as a warm slurry.
No doubt some bugs to work out!
Thus first 100 travelers get half-price return AND free souvenir travel mug, to compensate for such inconveniences.
Not too worried about HS2 in the long-term, although I am disappointed by this decision.
The really important one to build it to Euston has been made and it can always be revitalised and extended from its core base to Crewe, Manchester and Leeds in future, which might even happen in the next Parliament.
I suspect it would be rescoped/reconstructed first though.
When you stop a megaproject for a year it normally creates a delay of about five years because you can't just press and unpress the pause button; all the set up and mobilisation costs are sunk and you have to go back to near enough square one and rerecruit/reprocure and get the whole delivery organisation all set up again in a competitive market, and that takes time.
So HS2 can happen in the longer-term (still an option) but this punts it way into the future.
Great, I look forward to paying even more for it and getting to use it when I'm dead. Another genius move from the natural party of government.
Not too worried about HS2 in the long-term, although I am disappointed by this decision.
The really important one to build it to Euston has been made and it can always be revitalised and extended from its core base to Crewe, Manchester and Leeds in future, which might even happen in the next Parliament.
I suspect it would be rescoped/reconstructed first though.
When you stop a megaproject for a year it normally creates a delay of about five years because you can't just press and unpress the pause button; all the set up and mobilisation costs are sunk and you have to go back to near enough square one and rerecruit/reprocure and get the whole delivery organisation all set up again in a competitive market, and that takes time.
So HS2 can happen in the longer-term (still an option) but this punts it way into the future.
It's an act of gross vandalism by Sunak. He should delay any decision until after a GE. By all means put what he intends to do in his manifesto. But as it stands he's just going to cause 5-6 years of pointless delay, given Labour will reinstate the Manchester link after the GE.
This will further increase the costs too, I'd guess? Introducing yet more uncertainty.
Labour could do us a favour and guarantee it to Leeds and Manchester.
Not too worried about HS2 in the long-term, although I am disappointed by this decision.
The really important one to build it to Euston has been made and it can always be revitalised and extended from its core base to Crewe, Manchester and Leeds in future, which might even happen in the next Parliament.
I suspect it would be rescoped/reconstructed first though.
When you stop a megaproject for a year it normally creates a delay of about five years because you can't just press and unpress the pause button; all the set up and mobilisation costs are sunk and you have to go back to near enough square one and rerecruit/reprocure and get the whole delivery organisation all set up again in a competitive market, and that takes time.
So HS2 can happen in the longer-term (still an option) but this punts it way into the future.
It's an act of gross vandalism by Sunak. He should delay any decision until after a GE. By all means put what he intends to do in his manifesto. But as it stands he's just going to cause 5-6 years of pointless delay, given Labour will reinstate the Manchester link after the GE.
Oh, I don't think that can be taken for granted. Keir has been far from clear that he'll reinstate the 2030 ban on ICE vehicles, and I think he'll check the polling very carefully before he does anything on HS2. More likely he'd claim that it was 'too late' or something like that. I appreciate that this is of no consequence, as he has no principles, but SKS has spoken against HS2 in parliament.
Not too worried about HS2 in the long-term, although I am disappointed by this decision.
The really important one to build it to Euston has been made and it can always be revitalised and extended from its core base to Crewe, Manchester and Leeds in future, which might even happen in the next Parliament.
I suspect it would be rescoped/reconstructed first though.
When you stop a megaproject for a year it normally creates a delay of about five years because you can't just press and unpress the pause button; all the set up and mobilisation costs are sunk and you have to go back to near enough square one and rerecruit/reprocure and get the whole delivery organisation all set up again in a competitive market, and that takes time.
So HS2 can happen in the longer-term (still an option) but this punts it way into the future.
Yea 216, No 210 - Office of Speaker of US House of Representatives declared vacant.
Kevin McCarthy is out. But who will be in? Kevin McCarthy?
NYT - Representative Patrick McHenry of North Carolina is named interim speaker under a law passed after the Sept. 11 attacks in the event of a vacancy in the office.
SSI - And "Speaker Pro Tem" McHenry just called a recess, banged the gavel and House is adjourned "pending the call of the chair'.
McCarthy about to become the first House speaker in American history to be ejected from the job.
Edit: And it's happened. 216 to 210.
This will sound passive aggressive but it's not meant that way: why should I care?
Because America hasn't got a Budget at the minute, only a few weeks continuance, and if one can't be passed then the US Government will shortly go into shutdown and throw havoc upon the markets.
Between the Democrats, the GOP who don't want to drive over the cliffedge and the Trump loons who do, nobody has a majority.
In a sane world a rational Republican would make a deal with the Democrats to keep the lights on in America.
Otherwise the GOP will wholeheartedly turn the House over to the likes of Gaetz, who makes Braverman look like a fluffy and welcoming individual in comparison.
Considering OGH's many contributions AND ongoing struggles of UK to connect with itself, respectfully pray, that when my long-standing dream of a Pneumatic Tube connecting Woolwich with Wick in less than ten minutes - WOOSH! - that the Bedford way station be named the Smithson Spout.
Assuming a straight line distance of 800km, and uniform acceleration across the whole first half (and uniform deceleration in the second half), your acceleration would need to be a nippy 8.9ms-2, similar to acceleration due to gravity on earth. When you reach halfway (Newcastle, since you ask), you'll be hurtling along a little under 10000kmh-1.
Just one problem: if there's air in the tube, your body will fragment and you'll arrive as a warm slurry.
No doubt some bugs to work out!
Thus first 100 travelers get half-price return AND free souvenir travel mug, to compensate for such inconveniences.
McCarthy about to become the first House speaker in American history to be ejected from the job.
Edit: And it's happened. 216 to 210.
Not even that close.
Eight Republicans voted with 208 Democrats for motion to vacate Speaker's office. That's why he lost.
Among the absent were Democrats Nancy Pelosi and Mary Peltola.
Why? Pelosi has accompanied the remains of the late Sen. Diane Feinstein back to California for funeral. And Peltola's husband was killed a few days ago, when the small plane he was piloting crashed in Alaska.
McCarthy about to become the first House speaker in American history to be ejected from the job.
Edit: And it's happened. 216 to 210.
This will sound passive aggressive but it's not meant that way: why should I care?
Because America hasn't got a Budget at the minute, only a few weeks continuance, and if one can't be passed then the US Government will shortly go into shutdown and throw havoc upon the markets.
Between the Democrats, the GOP who don't want to drive over the cliffedge and the Trump loons who do, nobody has a majority.
In a sane world a rational Republican would make a deal with the Democrats to keep the lights on in America.
Otherwise the GOP will wholeheartedly turn the House over to the likes of Gaetz, who makes Braverman look like a fluffy and welcoming individual in comparison.
I suspect any market havoc will be limited in time and scope though?
Maybe. But we're over a year from the next election and they can't call early ones so someone has to blink or this is going to be a nightmare.
Last shutdown was under Trump and lasted 35 days and there seems even less room to compromise now, they're estimated to cause tens of billions of lasting damage each time it happens.
Considering OGH's many contributions AND ongoing struggles of UK to connect with itself, respectfully pray, that when my long-standing dream of a Pneumatic Tube connecting Woolwich with Wick in less than ten minutes - WOOSH! - that the Bedford way station be named the Smithson Spout.
Assuming a straight line distance of 800km, and uniform acceleration across the whole first half (and uniform deceleration in the second half), your acceleration would need to be a nippy 8.9ms-2, similar to acceleration due to gravity on earth. When you reach halfway (Newcastle, since you ask), you'll be hurtling along a little under 10000kmh-1.
Just one problem: if there's air in the tube, your body will fragment and you'll arrive as a warm slurry.
No doubt some bugs to work out!
Thus first 100 travelers get half-price return AND free souvenir travel mug, to compensate for such inconveniences.
You are Elon Musk and I claim my £5.
Which you may claim in Kryptonian crypto . . . from convenient kiosk on the far side of Uranus . . .
McCarthy about to become the first House speaker in American history to be ejected from the job.
Edit: And it's happened. 216 to 210.
Not even that close.
Eight Republicans voted with 208 Democrats for motion to vacate Speaker's office. That's why he lost.
Among the absent were Democrats Nancy Pelosi and Mary Peltola.
Why? Pelosi has accompanied the remains of the late Sen. Diane Feinstein back to California for funeral. And Peltola's husband was killed a few days ago, when the small plane he was piloting crashed in Alaska.
So if they had been there it would have been even less close. Steve Scalise seems to be the favourite of the nutter wing but I have no idea if he would have broad enough support. The break up of the GOP must be a real possibility after this.
McCarthy about to become the first House speaker in American history to be ejected from the job.
Edit: And it's happened. 216 to 210.
Not even that close.
Eight Republicans voted with 208 Democrats for motion to vacate Speaker's office. That's why he lost.
Among the absent were Democrats Nancy Pelosi and Mary Peltola.
Why? Pelosi has accompanied the remains of the late Sen. Diane Feinstein back to California for funeral. And Peltola's husband was killed a few days ago, when the small plane he was piloting crashed in Alaska.
Short term thinking by the Democrats, McCarthy was actually on the moderate wing of the House GOP.
It took multiple rounds to elect McCarthy Speaker last time and is likely to take even longer this time
McCarthy about to become the first House speaker in American history to be ejected from the job.
Edit: And it's happened. 216 to 210.
Not even that close.
Eight Republicans voted with 208 Democrats for motion to vacate Speaker's office. That's why he lost.
Among the absent were Democrats Nancy Pelosi and Mary Peltola.
Why? Pelosi has accompanied the remains of the late Sen. Diane Feinstein back to California for funeral. And Peltola's husband was killed a few days ago, when the small plane he was piloting crashed in Alaska.
The Washington Post said today that the Democrat House leadership should keep McCarthy in office by abstaining from the vote. Looks like instead they have thrown their lot in with Matt Gaetz and his loons. I'm sure they will feel pleased with themselves. Not sure how it will look to many in the US though.
McCarthy about to become the first House speaker in American history to be ejected from the job.
Edit: And it's happened. 216 to 210.
Not even that close.
Eight Republicans voted with 208 Democrats for motion to vacate Speaker's office. That's why he lost.
Among the absent were Democrats Nancy Pelosi and Mary Peltola.
Why? Pelosi has accompanied the remains of the late Sen. Diane Feinstein back to California for funeral. And Peltola's husband was killed a few days ago, when the small plane he was piloting crashed in Alaska.
So if they had been there it would have been even less close. Steve Scalise seems to be the favourite of the nutter wing but I have no idea if he would have broad enough support. The break up of the GOP must be a real possibility after this.
My fear is the GOP will just capitulate to the nutters.
Having a backbone doesn't seem to be the GOPs forte.
McCarthy about to become the first House speaker in American history to be ejected from the job.
Edit: And it's happened. 216 to 210.
Not even that close.
Eight Republicans voted with 208 Democrats for motion to vacate Speaker's office. That's why he lost.
Among the absent were Democrats Nancy Pelosi and Mary Peltola.
Why? Pelosi has accompanied the remains of the late Sen. Diane Feinstein back to California for funeral. And Peltola's husband was killed a few days ago, when the small plane he was piloting crashed in Alaska.
So if they had been there it would have been even less close. Steve Scalise seems to be the favourite of the nutter wing but I have no idea if he would have broad enough support. The break up of the GOP must be a real possibility after this.
My fear is the GOP will just capitulate to the nutters.
Having a backbone doesn't seem to be the GOPs forte.
They should expel the 8 and then look to do a deal with the Dems. But they won't.
Not too worried about HS2 in the long-term, although I am disappointed by this decision.
The really important one to build it to Euston has been made and it can always be revitalised and extended from its core base to Crewe, Manchester and Leeds in future, which might even happen in the next Parliament.
I suspect it would be rescoped/reconstructed first though.
When you stop a megaproject for a year it normally creates a delay of about five years because you can't just press and unpress the pause button; all the set up and mobilisation costs are sunk and you have to go back to near enough square one and rerecruit/reprocure and get the whole delivery organisation all set up again in a competitive market, and that takes time.
So HS2 can happen in the longer-term (still an option) but this punts it way into the future.
It's an act of gross vandalism by Sunak. He should delay any decision until after a GE. By all means put what he intends to do in his manifesto. But as it stands he's just going to cause 5-6 years of pointless delay, given Labour will reinstate the Manchester link after the GE.
Surely a decision like this would need to go through the commons rather than at a Tory conference?
McCarthy about to become the first House speaker in American history to be ejected from the job.
Edit: And it's happened. 216 to 210.
Not even that close.
Eight Republicans voted with 208 Democrats for motion to vacate Speaker's office. That's why he lost.
Among the absent were Democrats Nancy Pelosi and Mary Peltola.
Why? Pelosi has accompanied the remains of the late Sen. Diane Feinstein back to California for funeral. And Peltola's husband was killed a few days ago, when the small plane he was piloting crashed in Alaska.
So if they had been there it would have been even less close. Steve Scalise seems to be the favourite of the nutter wing but I have no idea if he would have broad enough support. The break up of the GOP must be a real possibility after this.
My fear is the GOP will just capitulate to the nutters.
Having a backbone doesn't seem to be the GOPs forte.
They should expel the 8 and then look to do a deal with the Dems. But they won't.
They should.
But one of the 8 getting the rest of the GOP to fall in line behind them seems more likely at this rate.
Rishi Sunak will pledge tomorrow to “fundamentally change” Britain as he unveils plans to scale back HS2, overhaul A-levels and improve people’s health
Sky News's political editor @BethRigby put it to the prime minister that he was a "man without a mandate" - having lost the Tory leadership election last year, before being appointed weeks later without a vote from members
Rishi Sunak will pledge tomorrow to “fundamentally change” Britain as he unveils plans to scale back HS2, overhaul A-levels and improve people’s health
Sky News's political editor @BethRigby put it to the prime minister that he was a "man without a mandate" - having lost the Tory leadership election last year, before being appointed weeks later without a vote from members
Please tell me he's not going to try and do the smoking ban and maths till 18.
I don't think I can watch, I have a really low tolerance for cringey things.
Rishi Sunak will pledge tomorrow to “fundamentally change” Britain as he unveils plans to scale back HS2, overhaul A-levels and improve people’s health
Sky News's political editor @BethRigby put it to the prime minister that he was a "man without a mandate" - having lost the Tory leadership election last year, before being appointed weeks later without a vote from members
He’ll have no problem putting this all to a vote, surely
Rishi Sunak will pledge tomorrow to “fundamentally change” Britain as he unveils plans to scale back HS2, overhaul A-levels and improve people’s health
Sky News's political editor @BethRigby put it to the prime minister that he was a "man without a mandate" - having lost the Tory leadership election last year, before being appointed weeks later without a vote from members
Please tell me he's not going to try and do the smoking ban and maths till 18.
I don't think I can watch, I have a really low tolerance for cringey things.
"I will fundamentally change Britain's rail system by not changing anything beyond Birmingham."
Some maths: if the Sky News HS2 report is right, then it could mean it’s slower to go from Mcr to London via HS2
Current Mcr to Ldn: 2h6m
Ldn to Birm via HS2: 52m + Current Birm to Mcr on WCML 1h20m-ish = 2h12m-ish
So ironically, for speed, you’ll NOT want to get HS2
1h30 Manchester to London once Hs2 phase 1 is complete, i believe. Existing West Coast to Lichfield, new high speed line from Lichfield to London. Pass through Birmingham Interchange, not the city of Birmingham.
Looks like some MEN journo here is falling for the common misconception that the line ends in the centre of Brum when that is simply not the case.
Rishi Sunak will pledge tomorrow to “fundamentally change” Britain as he unveils plans to scale back HS2, overhaul A-levels and improve people’s health
Sky News's political editor @BethRigby put it to the prime minister that he was a "man without a mandate" - having lost the Tory leadership election last year, before being appointed weeks later without a vote from members
Please tell me he's not going to try and do the smoking ban and maths till 18.
I don't think I can watch, I have a really low tolerance for cringey things.
After looking at the costs, Sunak has decided that maths till 9 is perfectly adequate.
McCarthy about to become the first House speaker in American history to be ejected from the job.
Edit: And it's happened. 216 to 210.
Not even that close.
Eight Republicans voted with 208 Democrats for motion to vacate Speaker's office. That's why he lost.
Among the absent were Democrats Nancy Pelosi and Mary Peltola.
Why? Pelosi has accompanied the remains of the late Sen. Diane Feinstein back to California for funeral. And Peltola's husband was killed a few days ago, when the small plane he was piloting crashed in Alaska.
The Washington Post said today that the Democrat House leadership should keep McCarthy in office by abstaining from the vote. Looks like instead they have thrown their lot in with Matt Gaetz and his loons. I'm sure they will feel pleased with themselves. Not sure how it will look to many in the US though.
Rishi Sunak will pledge tomorrow to “fundamentally change” Britain as he unveils plans to scale back HS2, overhaul A-levels and improve people’s health
Sky News's political editor @BethRigby put it to the prime minister that he was a "man without a mandate" - having lost the Tory leadership election last year, before being appointed weeks later without a vote from members
Please tell me he's not going to try and do the smoking ban and maths till 18.
I don't think I can watch, I have a really low tolerance for cringey things.
After looking at the costs, Sunak has decided that maths till 9 is perfectly adequate.
It's a bit incongruous that he's painting himself as the tough, penny-pinching, responsible PM - BUT I've decided to totally change A levels system BECAUSE MATHS IS GOOD.
Rishi Sunak will pledge tomorrow to “fundamentally change” Britain as he unveils plans to scale back HS2, overhaul A-levels and improve people’s health
Sky News's political editor @BethRigby put it to the prime minister that he was a "man without a mandate" - having lost the Tory leadership election last year, before being appointed weeks later without a vote from members
Please tell me he's not going to try and do the smoking ban and maths till 18.
I don't think I can watch, I have a really low tolerance for cringey things.
After looking at the costs, Sunak has decided that maths till 9 is perfectly adequate.
Rishi Sunak will pledge tomorrow to “fundamentally change” Britain as he unveils plans to scale back HS2, overhaul A-levels and improve people’s health
Sky News's political editor @BethRigby put it to the prime minister that he was a "man without a mandate" - having lost the Tory leadership election last year, before being appointed weeks later without a vote from members
Please tell me he's not going to try and do the smoking ban and maths till 18.
I don't think I can watch, I have a really low tolerance for cringey things.
After looking at the costs, Sunak has decided that maths till 9 is perfectly adequate.
Rishi Sunak will pledge tomorrow to “fundamentally change” Britain as he unveils plans to scale back HS2, overhaul A-levels and improve people’s health
Sky News's political editor @BethRigby put it to the prime minister that he was a "man without a mandate" - having lost the Tory leadership election last year, before being appointed weeks later without a vote from members
He’ll have no problem putting this all to a vote, surely
Did we establish whether he needs a vote to cancel Brum to Crewe as it already has Royal Assent?
Some maths: if the Sky News HS2 report is right, then it could mean it’s slower to go from Mcr to London via HS2
Current Mcr to Ldn: 2h6m
Ldn to Birm via HS2: 52m + Current Birm to Mcr on WCML 1h20m-ish = 2h12m-ish
So ironically, for speed, you’ll NOT want to get HS2
1h30 Manchester to London once Hs2 phase 1 is complete, i believe. Existing West Coast to Lichfield, new high speed line from Lichfield to London. Pass through Birmingham Interchange, not the city of Birmingham.
Looks like some MEN journo here is falling for the common misconception that the line ends in the centre of Brum when that is simply not the case.
According to Wikipedia, it will be 1:40, a saving of 14 minutes.
Rishi Sunak will pledge tomorrow to “fundamentally change” Britain as he unveils plans to scale back HS2, overhaul A-levels and improve people’s health
Sky News's political editor @BethRigby put it to the prime minister that he was a "man without a mandate" - having lost the Tory leadership election last year, before being appointed weeks later without a vote from members
He’ll have no problem putting this all to a vote, surely
Did we establish whether he needs a vote to cancel Brum to Crewe as it already has Royal Assent?
Is it officially cancelled or just "delayed", perhaps by leaves on the line?
It is a long time since I have been so angry about politics than I am over the HS2 fuck up.
The last few weeks of nonsensical ideas from the Tories, and the blatant lying and conspiracy theory garbarge, have crossed the line. I was nailed on to vote for them being basically fairly right-wing, and strongly agreeing with them regarding Ukraine, but they can do one now.
Yea 216, No 210 - Office of Speaker of US House of Representatives declared vacant.
Kevin McCarthy is out. But who will be in? Kevin McCarthy?
NYT - Representative Patrick McHenry of North Carolina is named interim speaker under a law passed after the Sept. 11 attacks in the event of a vacancy in the office.
SSI - And "Speaker Pro Tem" McHenry just called a recess, banged the gavel and House is adjourned "pending the call of the chair'.
NEW 👀 Senior Government source tells me Rishi Sunak will announce tomorrow HS2 will be stopping at Birmingham. Given MPs have already voted for HS2 to go to Crewe, Tory MPs might have to be whipped to vote to end it at Birmingham. The source says this could be “very bad”.
NEW 👀 Senior Government source tells me Rishi Sunak will announce tomorrow HS2 will be stopping at Birmingham. Given MPs have already voted for HS2 to go to Crewe, Tory MPs might have to be whipped to vote to end it at Birmingham. The source says this could be “very bad”.
NEW 👀 Senior Government source tells me Rishi Sunak will announce tomorrow HS2 will be stopping at Birmingham. Given MPs have already voted for HS2 to go to Crewe, Tory MPs might have to be whipped to vote to end it at Birmingham. The source says this could be “very bad”.
I am not sure what grounds the source has to suggest an improvement to merely "very bad".
Is there the remotest of remote chance that this is one big PR scam and tomorrow Rishi is going to say something like "There are liberal elite doubters who have been badmouthing our rail industry. Well I can tell you now that we will prove them wrong and that HS2 will be built in full!!!"?
NEW 👀 Senior Government source tells me Rishi Sunak will announce tomorrow HS2 will be stopping at Birmingham. Given MPs have already voted for HS2 to go to Crewe, Tory MPs might have to be whipped to vote to end it at Birmingham. The source says this could be “very bad”.
Is there the remotest of remote chance that this is one big PR scam and tomorrow Rishi is going to say something like "There are liberal elite doubters who have been badmouthing our rail industry. Well I can tell you now that we will prove them wrong and that HS2 will be built in full!"?
So the whole thing is to get a blaze of publicity for something already announced and underway, hence good news headlines without having to commit any extra spending? Genius.
Is there the remotest of remote chance that this is one big PR scam and tomorrow Rishi is going to say something like "There are liberal elite doubters who have been badmouthing our rail industry. Well I can tell you now that we will prove them wrong and that HS2 will be built in full!!!"?
I think this is why Labour are keeping quiet about it. Could be a rabbit out of the hat.
"Only when a new line and new platforms at Manchester Piccadilly are built can more services be accommodated. Journey times between Birmingham and Manchester are currently poor. No improvement is possible without additional track capacity."
YouGov – voters want an early election – politicalbetting.com
Comments
You say he wouldn't risk an election if he can wait for things to improve, but if waiting for things to improve risks him not getting to the election at all because the locals are unpromising and the letter writers pens are being unfurled, that would be a worse fate for him than the risk of a heavy GE defeat.
Oh my god how is it the night before the prime minister’s speech and this level of chaos and speculation regarding the country’s biggest infrastructure project is still trundling on
@JenWilliams_FT
I know it sounds like an obvious point but wtaf doesn’t bear overstating
There'd be scorch marks on Rishi.
The really important one to build it to Euston has been made and it can always be revitalised and extended from its core base to Crewe, Manchester and Leeds in future, which might even happen in the next Parliament.
I suspect it would be rescoped/reconstructed first though.
When you stop a megaproject for a year it normally creates a delay of about five years because you can't just press and unpress the pause button; all the set up and mobilisation costs are sunk and you have to go back to near enough square one and rerecruit/reprocure and get the whole delivery organisation all set up again in a competitive market, and that takes time.
So HS2 can happen in the longer-term (still an option) but this punts it way into the future.
Cut expensive thing that he never particularly wanted anyway, use some of the savings for little things to keep the little people happy and the rest for other things he wanted, like tax cuts. It would be popular and a lovely surprise to tell everyone about in his speech.
It's just that that version of reality got badly duffed up when it met other peoples' realities. And whilst some "you can't do that"s are just people defending their turf, other "you can't do that"s are because you really can't do that without breaking something important.
Thus first 100 travelers get half-price return AND free souvenir travel mug, to compensate for such inconveniences.
Labour could do us a favour and guarantee it to Leeds and Manchester.
Edit: And it's happened. 216 to 210.
Kevin McCarthy is out. But who will be in? Kevin McCarthy?
NYT - Representative Patrick McHenry of North Carolina is named interim speaker under a law passed after the Sept. 11 attacks in the event of a vacancy in the office.
SSI - And "Speaker Pro Tem" McHenry just called a recess, banged the gavel and House is adjourned "pending the call of the chair'.
Tough voters dont decide the date
They do decide the outcome though
Between the Democrats, the GOP who don't want to drive over the cliffedge and the Trump loons who do, nobody has a majority.
In a sane world a rational Republican would make a deal with the Democrats to keep the lights on in America.
Otherwise the GOP will wholeheartedly turn the House over to the likes of Gaetz, who makes Braverman look like a fluffy and welcoming individual in comparison.
Among the absent were Democrats Nancy Pelosi and Mary Peltola.
Why? Pelosi has accompanied the remains of the late Sen. Diane Feinstein back to California for funeral. And Peltola's husband was killed a few days ago, when the small plane he was piloting crashed in Alaska.
Last shutdown was under Trump and lasted 35 days and there seems even less room to compromise now, they're estimated to cause tens of billions of lasting damage each time it happens.
Some maths: if the Sky News HS2 report is right, then it could mean it’s slower to go from Mcr to London via HS2
Current Mcr to Ldn: 2h6m
Ldn to Birm via HS2: 52m + Current Birm to Mcr on WCML 1h20m-ish = 2h12m-ish
So ironically, for speed, you’ll NOT want to get HS2
It took multiple rounds to elect McCarthy Speaker last time and is likely to take even longer this time
Or, he could just say it's about capacity not speed, of course.
Having a backbone doesn't seem to be the GOPs forte.
Saying that - would he even have the votes
Jack Surfleet
@jacksurfleet
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6m
Wednesday's FINANCIAL TIMES UK EDITION: Bond sell-off deepens as high rates prospects spook markets
But one of the 8 getting the rest of the GOP to fall in line behind them seems more likely at this rate.
Rishi Sunak will pledge tomorrow to “fundamentally change” Britain as he unveils plans to scale back HS2, overhaul A-levels and improve people’s health
@SkyNews
Sky News's political editor
@BethRigby
put it to the prime minister that he was a "man without a mandate" - having lost the Tory leadership election last year, before being appointed weeks later without a vote from members
And the Daily Hate is wanking over the stain on humanities speech .
Come the revolution all those complicit in peddling hate and division will be locked up and left to rot .
I don't think I can watch, I have a really low tolerance for cringey things.
After 13 bloody years of his party in government.
Well this is unusual for a PM the night before his conference speech.
@RishiSunak pressing the flesh in the hotel bar.
McCarthy has given him a vision of his future...
Looks like some MEN journo here is falling for the common misconception that the line ends in the centre of Brum when that is simply not the case.
https://thehill.com/homenews/house/4236256-trump-questions-gop-infighting-ahead-of-vote-to-oust-mccarthy/
@LouHaigh
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2h
The Conservatives literally rubbished this idea in their own rail plan.
And GM warned it could actually make things worse by *increasing* delays on the West Coast Mainline
Only the Conservatives could draw up a plan that could actually make northern transport worse than before.
After finishing her speech, Cruella stood on a dogs tail. A guide dog too.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Speed_2#Journey_times
https://twitter.com/HowardMortman/status/1709310215882219700
NEW 👀
Senior Government source tells me Rishi Sunak will announce tomorrow HS2 will be stopping at Birmingham.
Given MPs have already voted for HS2 to go to Crewe, Tory MPs might have to be whipped to vote to end it at Birmingham. The source says this could be “very bad”.
As an aside bond yields are rising worldwide due to the high-level of debt, including in the US, with sustained high interest rates
My critic of Sunak is not the decision but the idiotic way it has been handled
Oh, they mean from their own narrow perspective.
Govt's own Integrated Rail Plan:
"Only when a new line and new platforms at Manchester Piccadilly are built can more services be accommodated. Journey times between Birmingham and Manchester are currently poor. No improvement is possible without additional track capacity."
He's on Newsnight now.