“Yes or no, Prime Minister”: Liberal Democrats slam Sunak on HS2 “betrayal”

Oldham Liberal Democrat Leader and GM Transport spokesperson councillor Howard Sykes MBE has slammed Rishi Sunak after the Prime Minister refused to give a straight answer over the future of Manchester’s long awaited Hight-Speed Rail project (HS2). 

The Conservative Prime Minister was quizzed on BBC Radio Manchester this week  (Thurs 28/09) following weeks of speculation and rumours that he may scrap the Manchester leg of HS2 all together. 

Councillor Sykes said, “Sunak is trying to quietly abandon HS2.  Despite all his empty words on levelling up, the north is always treated as second-class when it comes to transport investment.”

“Earlier this year the government announced £72 million for rail projects in Greater Manchester.  That’s less than half a percent of the total budget that was spent on London’s Cross Rail.” 

“Now we’re being left in limbo by Rishi Sunak over the future of HS2 and potentially another betrayal of his levelling-up promise.  It’s a very simple question.  Is the Manchester leg of HS2 going ahead? Yes or no, Prime Minister?”       

NOTES:

More from councillor Sykes on transport investment
So called investment in the North’s rail network – Howard Sykes (mycouncillor.org.uk)

Conservative government sends Northern rail plans into buffers – Howard Sykes (mycouncillor.org.uk)