As we previously reported, they were mocked and ridiculed after celebrating a new transport order from the “Northern Network”, which will renovate roads in the south of the country.
The Department for Transport this morning published a chart on X, celebrating how Rishi Sunak’s resolution to cancel the second phase of HS2 would allow more cash to be spent on other infrastructure projects under the Northern flag. “
But the example given was the use of £235 million on London’s roads (read the full article here).
In a statement, Labour’s shadow transport secretary Louise Haigh said that with delays and “chaos” on the railways over the festive period, it’s “an extra kick in the teeth that this government is crowing about cancelling the biggest rail infrastructure investment in the north in a generation”.
He continued: “When Rishi Sunak travelled to Manchester to cancel the northern component of HS2, he stated that it would ‘join our major cities in the North and Midlands’.
“He now promises to fix London’s roads as part of a ‘Northern Network’, giving the impression of how ridiculously out of touch he is with reality. “
A source close to Transport Secretary Mark Harper has tried to explain why £235 million is being spent to repave London’s roads, with HS2 spending ruled out.
It comes after the government scoffed at a graphic posted online detailing the announcement, which was posted with a watermark of the Network North project.
He said: “Every penny of the £19. 8 billion committed for Phase 2 of HS2 in the North will be reinvested in shipping across the North.
“Every penny of the £9. 6 billion committed for the Midlands segment will be reinvested in shipping projects across the region.
“And the £6. 5 billion stored from our new Euston to delivery will be reinvested in shipping projects in all other parts of the country.
“£8.3bn is being spent on resurfacing roads across England, and today we’re announcing the £235m share London is getting.
“It’s the whole overall Network North plan: Better travel for everyone across the country, with the highest percentage of investment in the north and the Midlands.
“And that £235 million is out of the £6. 5 billion stored by delivering Euston differently. “
In the first week of January 2023, as the new Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak gave a speech to lay out his five most sensible priorities.
As 2023 draws to a close, one of those priorities has started to dominate the Commons – and could become a significant threat to his leadership in 2024.
The ‘stop the boats’ policy is one of the big political stories of the year, which host Niall Paterson selects with political editor Beth Rigby.
They are also discussing how Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer fares for next year’s general election.
Also in this series, Niall will delve into affairs, economics, science and technology, and the royal family.
We have heard from the Irish Prime Minister, Leo Varadkar, after Ireland introduced legal action against the UK over the Legacy of Northern Ireland Issues Act.
He said the UK had “decided for their own reasons” to “go down a different path” to Ireland on this bill, which is now law.
“But we don’t agree with that, we think the technique agreed by the parties in Northern Ireland and the two governments is the best,” the Irish prime minister said.
“We believe that at this level we still have no option to ask the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg to carry out judicial review of this legislation. “
Varadkar said the UK was informed of this on Wednesday morning.
Rishi Sunak posed with some familiar characters inside Downing Street yesterday, as he hosted a reception for the British Film Institute.
In the photo, the prime minister enthusiastically brandished a lightsaber.
Labor MP Jonathan Ashworth said his party is “taking nothing for granted” as he launches his crusade in Wellingborough.
During a visit to the headquarters, he said: “I think it’s clear that the people of Wellingborough need a fresh start. They know it’s time for a change.
“And after thirteen years, and now 14 years of Conservative government, while other people are paying more tax, paying more for their mortgages because of the decisions of the Conservative government, paying more for their energy bills, paying more in shops, families are suffering and they know that there can be a better solution.
“They have a government that is on their side and a deputy who is on their side.
“So I think it’s transparent now that the country needs a change. And here in Wellingborough, it is the Labour Party that is proposing this change. “
But he said: “We take everything for granted and in the end it will be the electorate of Wellingborough who will decide. “
Health Secretary Victoria Atkins insisted that doctors “call a strike and walk out of negotiations” were “not the way” to reach a pay deal.
This long-running dispute has its roots in salaries: young doctors ask the government for a 35% salary and are presented with an 8. 8% increase on average.
They were then presented with another 3%, but this proposal was rejected.
Ms Atkins said: “One million appointments have been canceled since the trade action began last year, but we also know that in the emergency care and urgent care space, this is also having a genuine impact.
“As I have said in my negotiations and discussions with the medical profession, I need us to reach a fair and moderate agreement.
“I controlled myself to do it with experts and specialist doctors.
“I need to do the same for young doctors, but calling a strike and abandoning negotiations is not the way to do that. “
The Irish government will initiate inter-state proceedings against the UK under the European Convention on Human Rights over its Legacy of Northern Ireland Issues Act.
Dublin will argue that the provisions of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 are incompatible with the UK’s obligations under the convention.
Deputy Prime Minister Micheal Martin said: “This resolution was adopted after careful attention.
“I think we were in a scenario where such a selection had to be made.
“However, the UK government’s resolve not to honour the 2014 Stormont House agreement and adopt unilateral legislation, without an effective commitment to address the valid considerations that we, and many others, have raised, has left us with few options.
“The British government has gotten rid of the political option and leaves us with only this legal route. “
You can find more here:
Gen Kitchen, the Labour Party candidate for the Wellingborough by-election, is already on the campaign trail today.
Suspended Conservative MP Peter Bone lost his seat in a recall petition, prompting by-elections in horse riding.
And the Labour Party wasted no time in launching its campaign.
Mr Bone can stand in the by-election as an independent candidate, but has yet to reveal his plans.