This was supposed to be Labour’s victory parade. The first party conference in government since 2009, when cabinet minister after cabinet minister would be taking curtain calls in front of adoring delegates and party members. Instead, an air of tetchiness has descended on Liverpool.
The question of who is paying for clothes – that of the Prime Minister, his wife and senior ministers – is everywhere. And it is not solely a media obsession. Voters see well paid politicians and understandably wonder why they seemingly cannot afford to buy their own clothes.
Labour cannot allow a vacuum whereby its governing agenda gets derailed by clothes, or the salary of its chief of staff, or scores of other potentially juicy distractions. Unlike the previous Conservative Government, it has a clear agenda, a reasonably united parliamentary party and a vast majority to force difficult decisions through. But the risk of its negative messaging – not least on the economy – is leaving space for frankly more diverting and exciting stories to emerge.
The British public is not looking necessarily for Pollyannaish messaging, but some hope that things will get better is not unreasonable.
HS2 must make it to Euston
Sometimes it seems that the point of a new rail line – that is, to transport people to where they might actually want to go – has been forgotten. That is surely the case when it comes to High Speed 2 (HS2) and the absurd idea that its London terminus might get stuck in Old Oak Common.
The project is still awaiting government approval to begin construction on the four-and-a-half-mile tunnel that would take HS2 to London Euston. Speaking to The Standard in July, Transport Secretary Louise Haigh said she was “working at pace” on the issue, blaming what she called a “massive hole in the ground” on the previous Tory Government. Yet this is ultimately a money issue, and therefore one for the Treasury.
Rachel Reeves has reiterated that no promises can be made at this time. She should change her mind. To fully realise the benefits of HS2 and its additional capacity, it is critical not to simply dump passengers in a large train station in West London and call it ‘job done’.
Even in tight fiscal times, it is vital that infrastructure projects are seen through. Leaving HS2 to terminate at Old Oak Common would be penny wise but pound foolish. Reeves must give business the certainty it needs and announce the route to Euston.
