Following the release of a new strategic case for HS2, Stop HS2 Campaign Manager Joe Rukin said;
“As we expected, the Government have pulled some random figures out of the air in a desperate attempt to con the public. As if by magic, they expect us to believe that after three years that the economic case for HS2 has risen like a phoenix from the flames. They surely must realise that everyone is going to see through this cynical attempt at spin. Every case they have put up for HS2 so far has been torn apart, and this one will be no different. It is really quite sad that Government think throwing everything at an expensive PR exercise will all of a sudden create support for HS2. They are just looking increasingly desperate and should give it up.”
Penny Gaines, chair of Stop HS2 said,
“We have seen this before, HS2 Ltd are putting in every possible benefit they can include while ignoring so many of the costs of HS2. The Government are willing to panic people by saying there is a crisis on the rail network but their so-called solution means road and rail misery for twenty years and no relief at all until the middle of the next decade. Meanwhile they are dismissing rail alternatives which could be implemented immediately.”
The written statement to Parliament from Patrick McLoughlin can be found here
The DfT press release is here
And the documents relating to the updated strategic case are here
Earlier on the radio four an estate agent was saying farm land is now where people are putting there money in .Increasing in prices by. 12% this year ?This is going to increase the major cost of building hs2 so come on Ed call a stop to this project as costs are going up up and never mind wages .or is the government going to rip off the farmers and expect the workers to work without having wage rises ?
Be reasonable Joe – the govt. don’t expect you or any STOPHS2 supporters to believe any (even vaguely) positive claim related to HS2 – their target audience isn’t STOPHS2 / HS2AA / AGHAST / 51M Group supporters / activists is it?
or was your casual hijack of the collective “us” a euphemism for the entire British public?
Not the ENTIRE British public …. but check out the opinion polls !
… and when will the next business case be released? (And of course the one after that …?)
Dear Mr Cameron
Please describe life in 2033
You do wonder whether Patrick McLoughlin has a clue what he is talking about, or whether he just resorts to weasel words to deliberately mislead. He was on Breakfast News today saying that without the Jubilee Line extension “we would not have seen the developement at Canary Wharf that we have “.
Point of Order Mr McLoughlin.
One Canada Square, sometimes referred to Canary Wharf after it’s location, was completed in 1990. The JL extension did not open until nearly 10 years later.
Its termed retrospective falsification if told oft enough it will become a myth and it something that this Govt uses as part of spin and “nudging” the population. Such ploys can also be projected into the future (as seen with HS2) in a political game akin to fantasy football.
Modified truths to support the best interests of the public no doubt in a paternalistic ‘we know best’ and “what is good for you” manner. No worse that the tooth fairy and father christmas. And like the weak father they throw a tirade “are you questioning me” “whilst you are under my roof you will do a I say” authoritarianism (this relating to the new judicial review, lobbying and press laws which suppress democratic debate and public voice)
Is it credible that Rt Hon McLoughlin (or his speech writer) would not check ‘his’ facts and therefore his motive could be questioned unless he retracts his statements and apologizes for the misinformation?
But there again when was the last time a Minister owned up to or apologized for misinformation? It has become the currency of contemporary political debate i.e.throwaway soundbite ‘wars’.
Such myths and retrospective falsifications are quite common tools of propaganda and relies on the public being vaguely informed and knowledgeable and the postulated fact seeming reasonable: ie there is something called canary wharf and there is the adjacent Jubilee line.
The public could even extend to ill informed naive/young MPs of which there are many about to vote on the Paving Bill.
Cutting through the deceit relies on MPs challenging such actions in the house. Sadly so much that is now uttered in the house is spun (and the machine behind it so vast) that the process of challenging would take much time and volition. This is only done for pet local Westminster Village issues effecting themselves rather than issues affecting hundreds of thousands of the general population.
and now the whole sick politic revealed
‘John Denham warns against Labour division on HS2 rail line
In an article for Progress magazine, former cabinet minister urges party to act in national interest and support the project”
http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2013/oct/30/john-denham-labour-division-hs2
TIMED FOR THE PAVING BILL
NO REAL NATIONAL INTEREST (THIS IS POLITICAL INTEREST), NO CONCERN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT NOR THE MANY HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS WHO ARE ASSET STRIPPED. NO USE OF LOGIC NOR ADEQUATE REVIEW OF THE FACTS’ NO REAL CONSIDERATION OF DEMOCRACY BUT SIMPLE PURE FACE SAVING, EGO DRIVEN POLITICS.
A POLITICAL WHEEZE (PLOY) IS BEING MADE CONCRETE AT THE COST OF THE ENVIRONMENT,THE TAX PAYER AND HS2 VICTIMS.
THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO SHAME SIMPLY POLITICAL WILL AND RUTHLESS DISREGARD OF DEMOCRATIC ACCOUNTABILITY TO THE PEOPLE.
THE POLITICS OF HS2 IS BECOMING FRANKLY GROTESQUE; MILLEBANDS EQUIVALENT OF THE EMERGENCY RECALL TO PARLIAMENT RE SYRIAH. THE HASTE FOR A DECISION (DESPITE THE FACTS)
IS SOMEONE PULLING HIS STRINGS OR IS THIS DOUBLE BLUFF (GIVE ED BALLS THE SEMBLANCE OF CONTROL BUT RETAIN CONTROL OCCULTLY?