A Tory backbench campaign was launched today calling on David Cameron to scrap HS2 if he is to avoid handing a huge advantage to Labour at the next election.
A letter sent to around 130 Conservative MPs describes the £42.6 billion high-speed rail network as an “expensive white elephant”.
And it warns that if Labour pledges to scrap HS2, it will free up billions of pounds, allowing the party to win voters with expensive promises.
While Labour’s official position is to support HS2, shadow chancellor Ed Balls hinted at the party’s conference that he might ditch it if he and Ed Miliband win power in 2015. Tory MP Andrew Bridgen, who penned today’s letter, told the Standard: “It’s better to drop HS2 now rather than see Labour drop it and use the £50 billion to buy votes in marginal seats.
“It would become very difficult for the Tories to argue that money is not available for spending.”
The letter comes as HS2’s opponents start a two-day legal action at the Supreme Court, challenging the Government case. If they win, it could force ministers to delay or halt the scheme.
Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin insists that the HS2 route, running from London to Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester, is needed to provide relief for Britain’s clogged transport network.
