I can deliver change, says Sunak amid backlash on HS2 cutback

THE Prime Minister insisted today that he could be trusted to deliver change for Britain after a ferocious backlash from predecessors and northern leaders against his decision to curtail HS2

- Jitendra Joshi

Rishi Sunak’s claims to “honesty and integrity” outlined at the Conservative conference in Manchester were called into question after it emerged that he had filmed a social media video to announce the high-speed rail decision days ago — while insisting in public that a decision had yet to be made.

Challenged over the HS2 timeline, Transport Secretary Mark Harper told Sky News: “I have the legal responsibility to take the decision.

“And I took the decision formally on Tuesday this week, and it was approved by the Cabinet on Wednesday morning and then announced by the Prime Minister at our conference, so all very straightforward. And I don’t really know why people are getting so het up with this particular issue.”