Mayor of Birmingham Threatens to Resign if HS2 is Scrapped
The Conservative conference took a dramatic turn as Chancellor Jeremy Hunt took to the stage amidst claims that Prime Minister Boris Johnson will announce the cancellation of the Manchester leg of the troubled HS2 rail project in his own speech on Wednesday. The Mayor of Birmingham, Andy Street, has threatened to resign in protest, stating that he won't let HS2 go without a fight and emphasizing the importance of sticking to their word with the international investment community.
Labour Mayor of Manchester Slams Potential Northern Leg Cancellation
Labour Mayor, Andy Burnham, criticized the possible axing of the northern leg of HS2, calling it a "desperate act of a dying government". He expressed his opposition to treating people in Greater Manchester and the north of England as second-class citizens.
No Final Decision Yet, But Announcement Expected Soon
Despite speculation, Number 10 insisted that no final decision had been made regarding HS2. However, Hunt's spokesman hinted that an announcement from the Prime Minister was imminent. This comes after the Chancellor questioned the high costs of building a railway in the UK compared to France and condemned some of the project's spending as "totally unacceptable".
Drastic Cost-Cutting Measures to Rein in Spending
The PM is expected to scale back the HS2 project in order to address its skyrocketing costs. The proposed package includes improvements to northern infrastructure such as the expanded Northern Powerhouse Rail project, cash for potholes, and investments in bus routes. There are also suggestions that HS2 could end at Old Oak Common in London's western suburbs. However, the Chancellor has faced backlash from prominent figures, including Boris Johnson, Theresa May, and George Osborne, who have urged him to reconsider.
Birmingham Mayor Appeals for Private Sector Involvement
Birmingham's Mayor, Andy Street, made a last-ditch appeal to involve the private sector in completing the HS2 railway, suggesting that this could ease the financial burden on taxpayers and provide a once-in-a-generation opportunity to level up. The possible cancellation of HS2 has drawn criticism and disappointment from politicians and officials in Manchester as well.
Calls to Address Government Spending by Ex-PM Liz Truss
On the fringes of the conference, former Prime Minister Liz Truss criticized Hunt and the Chancellor Rishi Sunak's agenda, calling for acknowledgment that the government is too big, taxes are too high, and spending is excessive. She urged the ministers to embrace their inner conservative and focus on building more houses and supporting fracking.
