"Useless Eustice" Group - Mark II?

The Guardian reports that there is a growing revolt amongst MPs across all parties, according to Dan Byles (Conservative: North Warwickshire), against HS2. The newspaper also reports something that has been known for some time, namely that Cheryl Gillan, secretary of state for Wales, MP for Chesham and Amersham, one of the affected constituencies, has pledged to defy the party whip and oppose the project - which would of course cost her ministerial position.

I have posted many times on the subject of HS2 (probably to the point of boredom), the last time being here, with various links, showing the connection to the Trans European Network (Transport) programme. That the likes of Byles, Gillan, Hurd and others apparently ignore, or are unaware of, the EU influence in the development of this line brings into question their suitability to hold the office they do.

Of course it would be remis not to pass comment on yet another shining example of what passes for journalism, namely the mere reporting of  of political spin without showing the slightest inclination to check the background. As Autonomous Mind posts, it would seem this newspaper is far more interested in preserving what is left of it's reputation than allow itself to report on a subject that both they and the political elite have decided is a non-subject (European Union and associated matters).

As with Useless Eustice and his collection of faux eurosceptics, so might this collection of rebels be being formed for the same purpose, namely to divert the public's attention, in this case from the real reason why the line is being built. That Cameron will not have spoken to Gillan, in view of her ministeral position, about her reported opposition cannot be in doubt, likewise that Gillan more than likely assured him it was just a case of 'keeping up appearances', with her in the starring role rather than Patricia Routledge.

That the faux-Conservative Party should have faux-eurosceptics and faux-antiHS2ers should come as 'faux' surprise to anyone.

Not the full story - again

The TaxPayers Alliance have released another research note on HS2, one in which they maintain that costs for HS2 could well rise by £28billion. On 27th July I posted what might be termed a reprimand of the TPA in which I accused them of ignoring the elephant in the room, needless to say that being the European Union. With this latest paper it is unfortunate that they are again guilty of the same error. Whilst the TPA are correct to concentrate on the economics angle I feel they are missing a few points in their analysis with some the assertions made, the reasons for which have not being fully explained. (I have posted previously on the subject of HS2, for example here, here, here and here.)

Whilst their research paper deals with what may be termed 'installation costs' they appear to have failed to actually analyse some statements that are quoted in their paper. For example:

Page 5: The TPA asserts that Ministers have argued that Britain must invest in high speed rail to keep pace with other countries, yet they make no attempt to de-bunk that statement for the lie that it is.

Page 6: Philip Hammond is quoted as stating that he hopes that competition amongst rail companies could mean cheaper fares.

Page 7: The TPA assert that fares across the network may well be raised to plug the black hole they allege in the cost of HS2.

The fact that Britain must invest in high speed rail is driven by the European Union and their Trans-European Network (Transport) policy, a policy built on the premise that travel for people and goods, from one region of the EU to another must be improved. The lie is that our need to invest in high speed rail is not a case of 'keeping up with the Jones' but that it is driven by requirements imposed on us by Brussels. There is one matter on the horizon that torpedoes the last two statements and that is the EU's policy, one in the pipeline for implementation, that 'user pays' and one that forbids any national government subsidy. This I covered here, a post which links to a story on user pays in the Mail. So Philip Hammond is being his usual disingenuous self by offering the carrot that fares could be cheaper, when he must know they won't and never can be; and the TPA, had they done their homework, would know that fares most definitely will be raised - and probably more than they believe - and it won't be just to plug their alleged black-hole.

That any government's rail policy in the UK is but a Pandora's Box with the hydra of the European Union within is amply illustrated by this piece of research by Ian Parker-Joseph. As he writes:

"UK Government railway policy - Or rather EU Railway policy studies that successive UK Governments (1999-2011) have sold to the British people as their own work. There are of course no vested interests…"

To which can now be added HS2................