On 26th September 2011, Shadow Secretary of State for Transport, Maria Eagle MP told Labour Party conference that the proposed legislation for HS2, the proposed high speed railway, should include the lines to Manchester and Leeds before HS2 is approved, thereby acknowledging that the Goverment’s proposal for the line just as far as Birmingham alone is a white elephant.
Stop HS2 campaign coordinator Joe Rukin said: “Labour have said that if HS2 should go ahead, the Government should deliver their proposal for the whole package first and do this properly, instead of just quickly. The Government asked during the consultation if the route to Manchester and Leeds is the best value for money option, without even having a route. How can anyone know if that is good value for money? To ask that question without a plan is an affront on democracy and Labour are right for saying that