The ever controversial HS2 proposal for a high speed rail link between London and West Yorkshire via the East Midlands and the North-West is continuing to dominate the headlines.
While it is supported on principle by the three major parties, LabourÔÇÖs shadow chancellor Ed Balls is by far the most reluctant and isnÔÇÖt shy in expressing his concerns.
LabourÔÇÖs support hinges on the understanding that it is not equal to a ÔÇ£blank chequeÔÇØ and that financial planning must be treated seriously and remain under the ┬ú50 billion predicted cost, which has already increased by ┬ú310 billion in the last year. While they remain sceptical, there has been a noticeable calm in Labour opposition as they promise to put ÔÇ£the national interest and taxpayers first.ÔÇØ This is in absolute contrast to his remarks on the 25th October, ÔÇ£I genuinely donÔÇÖt think that the evidence is thereÔÇØ to justify this amount of spending.
Mr Cameron and the Conservatives continue to be the schemes most vocal advocates, going as far as to say that opponents of the link are ÔÇ£putting our countryÔÇÖs future at riskÔÇØ and in particular that of the north of England. This kind of remark stands as an example of the ConservativeÔÇÖs attempts to garner more support in the north now that the next general election is in sight and is especially prudent after Tory peer Lord HowellÔÇÖs comments that fracking would be ÔÇ£okay for the desolate North-EastÔÇØ.
Mr Cameron goes on to assure doubters that they will be taking costs seriously by hiring Sir David Higgins, the man responsible for building the Olympics on time and budget, as the boss of the scheme. He also mentions the importance of having cross-party consensus on business matters of
Aside from the very public disagreements between the two parties there are other debates circling the project. Namely, as to whether it will bring in the proposed benefits to BritainÔÇÖs cities outside of London. The government is adamant that the ÔÇÿimproved connectivityÔÇÖ HS2 will provide is ultimately beneficial for all involved, it is currently set to connect eight of BritainÔÇÖs ten biggest cities. Government research has found that Nottingham/Derby is set to benefit the most, estimating it will bring them an extra ┬ú2.2 billion a year.
This evidence has been produced as part of the fifth document released by the government explaining the benefits for EnglandÔÇÖs big cities. Many however, still refuse to believe the hype, proclaiming that while some cities will do well, many others will actually suffer and struggle to cope. This was brought up on last weekÔÇÖs Question Time in Cornwall where it was revealed that the West Country stands to lose millions as a result of HS2. This is one example out of fifty areas in the UK which are predicted to be worse off should the HS2 plan go ahead.
Wales is not exempt from this with Plaid Cymru making similarly sour predictions. MP for the party, Elfin Llwyd believes the whole scheme to be ÔÇ£a vanity projectÔÇØ that will not benefit Wales in any great way and as such they deserve a share of funding under the Barnett formula which would net the Welsh Government between ┬ú2.3 and ┬ú5 billion.
Rebecca Smith
Politics writer
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