I agree. However, you just know that those political figures who've been screaming for a cancellation will seamlessly switch to screaming why was it cancelled....
Conference season has been quite telling so far I think. Lib Dems had some very good policy statements, but did get beaten up by members on housebuilding targets. I was talking to some pals last night over a pint and sadly they view the Lib Dem vote as not worthwhile, instead they are planning not to vote. I struggle a bit with that and as it stands will vote Lib Dems so long as they dont commit to a deal with Labour. The tories today said some things that chimed with me. Keegan, who I like, was on my page re Higher Ed. Then of course they eat themselves over ECHR and Truss's group. Tomorrow we get Gove and Braverman, will be interesting but I dont know in what way. Be interesting to see if the intelligent media tweet if the hall is full for Braverman or Sunak as opposed to culture secretary, just for balance and impartiality of course. I suspect not...
COVID inquiry gets to the interesting bits today. Johnson, Hancock and Cummings expected to give evidence. The big question for me is when the science - using the scientific method to identify potential cures and learn more about the disease - became The Science - written in stone, politically motivated and a risk to your livelihood if you dared to question it.
So Sunak won't be rushed on making a decision on HS2 ... ... meanwhile we're spending more millions digging holes that may never be used. Perhaps they'll use them as accommodation for all the illegal immigrants
Or get the illegal immigrants to do the digging. For free. Yeah. Yeah. Slavery blah blah blah. What did they expect?
It’s beginning to look like the wolves are circling the former president. John Kelly, the longest-serving White House chief of staff for Donald Trump, offered his harshest criticism yet of the former president in an exclusive statement to CNN.. Kelly set the record straight with on-the-record confirmation of a number of damning stories about statements Trump made behind closed doors attacking US service members and veterans, listing a number of objectionable comments Kelly witnessed Trump make firsthand. “What can I add that has not already been said?” Kelly said, when asked if he wanted to weigh in on his former boss in light of recent comments made by other former Trump officials. “A person that thinks those who defend their country in uniform, or are shot down or seriously wounded in combat, or spend years being tortured as POWs are all ‘suckers’ because ‘there is nothing in it for them.’ A person that did not want to be seen in the presence of military amputees because ‘it doesn’t look good for me.’ A person who demonstrated open contempt for a Gold Star family – for all Gold Star families – on TV during the 2016 campaign, and rants that our most precious heroes who gave their lives in America’s defense are ‘losers’ and wouldn’t visit their graves in France. “A person who is not truthful regarding his position on the protection of unborn life, on women, on minorities, on evangelical Christians, on Jews, on working men and women,” Kelly continued. “A person that has no idea what America stands for and has no idea what America is all about. A person who cavalierly suggests that a selfless warrior who has served his country for 40 years in peacetime and war should lose his life for treason – in expectation that someone will take action. A person who admires autocrats and murderous dictators. A person that has nothing but contempt for our democratic institutions, our Constitution, and the rule of law. “There is nothing more that can be said,” Kelly concluded. “God help us.”
Yet the lunatics who worship him will still keep clenching their fists, snarling at everyone and chanting his name ... ... it seems that, even when they knew he'd conned them, they cant bring themselves to admit it.
Have to be honest. I’d invest more in services like trams, opening up old train lines, making the trains and lines resilient rather than the speed of hs2. Make it Easter to make calls, better Wi-Fi then speed makes little difference. It was always a Tory gimmick. London is easy to get to from cities- it’s semi rural places and smaller towns that need investment especially in the north, south west etc. Leeds to Manchester is too long for example that’s where the work is. But that won’t happen cos it’s the north.
I was never a big fan of HS2 tbh. What's annoying is that Sunak seems to be enjoying this period of keeping everyone guessing. In the meantime we're spending huge amounts of money, every day, on something that obviously won't be finished. It makes the UK look idiotic tbh.
It was the Labour party who had the idea for HS2, not the Conservatives. I agree it was a gimick. A gimick at least in name - High Speed because it isnt the speed where the benefit is meant to come from for the north. It was more daft sound bites from politicians, this time Labour at the end of their last government. For the record I think it should be stopped altogether. That said though there are lots of much more knowledgeable people than me saying it must continue. The original business case was based on creating more capacity, not so much a quicker journey time. Taking people off some lines onto this, meaning less congestion on lines. I get that, the amount of times local trains in my area are delayed because the London or Newcastle train is coming through on catch up is irritating. Up until 2019 passenger numbers were rocketing in this country, way beyond our capacity, then of course we hit the pandemic and now less journeys are needed due to hybrid working. Even now though the numbers of journeys are back at 80% of 2019 and rising. Experts are saying we are out of capacity in a decade or so as it stands. The problem of course is cost, it is staggering. How much of that can be recovered and how much saved to allow for investment in localised capacity? If I want to commute by train to Nottingham, a 23 mile journey by car, I can do it in about 90 minutes, with a tram at the other end, assuming the big train to Newcastle doesnt need priority. That doesnt work for me, I can do it in 50 mins in the car in rush hour, and it is cheaper. I suspect the delay in any announcement means we will get some watered down delay, or re-phasing of it, which wont please anyside of the debate. It might then become a political hot potato in an election, but I doubt any party will say much of substance on it.
I think everyone knows that tbh ... ... it doesn't excuse the mess that's been made and the millions thrown away.
Maybe you’re right, it was definitely shouted for loudly by Bozo. The thing for me is that for many like you it’s car or bus. It costs a fortune to pass a test, be insured run a car especially for young uns and so much is ‘out of town’ but only those who have can get there and those who have have no environmentally sound options. But aye price on trains takes the piss. I have a mate in Devon and it was 180 to see him by train. It’s a joke.
Part of his levelling up nonsense wasn't it ... ... I think he claimed the Elizabethan Line as well despite it not being his. He makes so many claims it's hard to remember what's true.
Boris is still shouting loudly for it, but I would bet that is just to try and make Sunak look useless. Stories tonight are some of the main contractors are now knocking at Sunaks door with options to reduce the cost but still deliver. Maybe he is playing a blinder, for those who still want HS2. If he gets it done, but has a lower bill, Johnson will probably about face and say it is a waste of money.
The problem there being that if he does get the price down, all the contractors have to do is wait until Labour are in and then up it goes again.
Or the public just have to wait a few months and wait until Labour get in and reinstate it. That’s what Labour will do won’t they???
As long as someone makes a decision I'm not fussed either way tbh. The government have had thirteen years to do that ... ... as things stand we've absolutely nothing to show for all that money. Sunak isn't 'playing a blinder' though, in reality. Even if he was, blackmailing contractors isn't an honest and proper way to do business.
Of course we have, it’s just been announced on the BBC, a £2.3 trillion debt. Could be worse I suppose, can’t think of what mind.
