Resumo de uma frase – Conservative Party donor John Caudwell has threatened to switch his allegiance to Labour due to Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s recent policy U-turn on net-zero commitments, expressing shock at Sunak’s reversal on green reforms and describing it as “madness,” while former transport secretary Grant Shapps has called for a review of plans for the HS2 rail link due to escalating costs, urging the government to consider the affordability of the project, particularly in light of the ongoing Ukraine conflict and rising inflation.
Num relance
- Conservative Party donor John Caudwell threatens to switch allegiance to Labour due to Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s policy U-turn on net-zero commitments
- Caudwell expresses disappointment with the Conservative Party’s management and describes Sunak’s reversal on green reforms as “madness”
- Former transport secretary Grant Shapps calls for a review of plans for the HS2 rail link due to escalating costs
- Efforts are being made to identify cost savings for HS2, with proposals to potentially scale back or cancel certain sections of the project
- Over 80 companies and business leaders call for renewed commitment to the HS2 project, highlighting its potential to increase capacity and improve journey times
Os detalhes
Conservative Party donor John Caudwell has threatened to switch his allegiance to Labour due to Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s recent policy U-turn on net-zero commitments.
Caudwell, who was the largest donor to the Tory party, has announced his withdrawal of support for Sunak’s changes to green policies.
In 2019, Caudwell donated £500,000 to the Conservative Party.
According to the Sunday Times Rich List 2022, Caudwell is currently valued at £1.58 billion.
Sunak’s reversal on net-zero pledges
Sunak’s reversal on net-zero pledges includes delaying the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars until 2035.
The Chancellor has also diluted targets for the phasing out of gas boilers.
Sunak argued that these policies imposed unacceptable costs on ordinary people.
However, climate experts disagreed with this stance.
Caudwell’s disappointment with the Conservative Party
Caudwell expressed shock at Sunak’s reversal on green reforms, describing it as “madness.”
He voiced his disappointment with the Conservative Party’s management over the past four years.
Caudwell highlighted how this decision moves the party backward, displaying inconsistency and a lack of determination.
He further emphasized that delaying the ban on petrol and diesel cars increases the risk of being too late to tackle climate change.
Caudwell described this delay as a devastating mistake.
He expressed concern that the tipping point for climate change may have already been reached.
Grant Shapps calls for a review of HS2 plans
In a separate development, former transport secretary Grant Shapps has called for a review of plans for the HS2 rail link due to escalating costs.
The government has not yet committed to the current plans for HS2.
A definitive decision on the project’s future is expected this week.
HS2, which is intended to connect London, the Midlands, and the north of England, has faced delays, cost increases, and cuts.
The last official estimate of HS2 costs, excluding the cancelled eastern section, stood at £71 billion in 2019 prices.
Shapps has urged the government to consider the affordability of the project, particularly in light of the ongoing Ukraine conflict and rising inflation.
The Birmingham to Manchester leg of the HS2 project is currently under discussion by the prime minister and chancellor.
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has described the costs of this leg as spiraling “totally out of control.”
£22.5 billion has already been spent on the London to Birmingham leg of the project.
£2.3 billion has been allocated to preparing other sections of the HS2 project.
Efforts are being made to identify cost savings for HS2.
However, many anticipate that significant sections of the planned route from Birmingham to Manchester may be axed.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has cautioned against “mutilating” the project.
Shapps has proposed that HS2 is not the sole solution for rail connectivity.
The government has already invested £22 billion in northern England’s transport infrastructure since 2010.
Labour has not confirmed whether they would fund HS2 to Manchester if the Conservatives choose to abandon it.
Over 80 companies and business leaders have called for renewed commitment to the HS2 project.
They highlight its potential to increase capacity and improve journey times.
The Chancellor has acknowledged the escalating costs of building HS2.
Reports suggest that ministers are considering scaling back or even canceling the project to mitigate expenses.
One proposal under consideration involves scrapping the Birmingham to Manchester leg, potentially saving £35 billion.
The Leeds terminus of HS2 is also being evaluated for cancellation.
The prospect of scaling back HS2 has faced backlash from northern mayors, leaders, and Tory MPs.
These critics include those representing “red wall” constituencies.
The Chancellor has emphasized the need to control costs, despite understanding these concerns.
The initial budget for HS2 was set at £55.7 billion in 2015.
The estimated cost has since risen to a range of £53 billion to £71 billion.
Sections of the project have already been paused or abandoned.
These include the eastern leg to Leeds and sections in the north.
Work at Euston has also been temporarily halted due to escalating costs.
If the HS2 project is halted at Birmingham, it would be seen as the “easy thing” to do and a blow to the government’s levelling-up agenda.
Similar budgetary issues have arisen in other major projects.
However, opinions have changed once these projects were successfully delivered.
Labour has accused the Tories of a “great rail betrayal” if the Manchester leg of HS2 fails to materialize.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has not committed to constructing HS2 in full if the North West route is abandoned.
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Independent.co.uk |
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– Conservative Party donor John Caudwell has threatened to switch his allegiance to Labour due to Rishi Sunak’s net zero U-turn. |
– Caudwell was the Tory party’s largest donor before the last election, but he stated that he will not support Sunak after the changes made to green policies. – |
In 2019, Caudwell donated £500,000 to the party and is worth £1.58bn according to the Sunday Times Rich List 2022. |
– Sunak reversed several net zero pledges, including delaying the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars until 2035 and diluting targets for phasing out gas boilers. |
– Sunak argued that the policies imposed unacceptable costs on ordinary people, but climate experts disagreed. |
– Caudwell expressed shock and called Sunak’s reversal on green reforms madness. |
– He stated that he would not donate to the Conservative Party and would support any party that he believes will do the right thing for Britain. – Caudwell criticized the Conservative Party’s management over the past four years and said the decision moves them backwards and shows inconsistency and lack of determination. – |
He believes that delaying the ban on petrol and diesel cars increases the risk of being too late to address climate change. – Caudwell described it as a devastating mistake and expressed concern that the tipping point may have already been reached. |
bbc.co.uk |
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– Former transport secretary Grant Shapps has called for a review of plans for the HS2 rail link due to soaring costs. – |
A definitive decision on HS2 could be made this week. |
– |
The government has not committed to the current plans for HS2. – HS2 is intended to link London, the Midlands, and the north of England. – |
The scheme has faced delays, cost increases, and cuts. – |
The last official estimate of HS2 costs was £71bn in 2019 prices, excluding the cancelled eastern section. |
– Grant Shapps stated that the government needs to consider affordability due to the Ukraine war and inflation. – |
The prime minister and chancellor are discussing the future of the Birmingham to Manchester leg of the project. – Costs for HS2 are getting “totally out of control,” according to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt. – £22.5bn has been spent on the London to Birmingham leg, and £2.3bn has been spent on preparing other sections. |
– Efforts have been made to identify cost savings for HS2. |
– Many believe that most of the planned line from Birmingham to Manchester will be axed. – Boris Johnson has warned against “mutilating” the project. – Grant Shapps suggested that HS2 is not the only solution for rail connectivity. – |
The government has spent £22bn on transport in the north of England since 2010. |
– Labour has not confirmed if it would fund HS2 to Manchester if the Conservatives axe it. |
– More than 80 companies and business leaders have called for renewed commitment to HS2. |
– HS2 is meant to create more capacity and faster journey times. – Critics argue that HS2 is too expensive and the money could be better used elsewhere. |
– There has been a two-year delay on the Birmingham to Crewe leg and work on Euston has been paused. |
Independent.co.uk |
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– The Chancellor has admitted that the costs of building HS2 are increasing and could be “getting totally out of control. |
” – |
The government has not yet made a decision on the future of the high-speed rail route. |
– There are reports that ministers are considering scaling back or cancelling the project to save money. |
– One proposal is to scrap the Birmingham to Manchester leg of HS2, which could save £35 billion. – |
The Leeds terminus of HS2 is also being considered for cancellation. – |
The plans to scale back HS2 have faced backlash from northern mayors, leaders, and Tory MPs. – MPs in “red wall” constituencies are upset by the speculation. |
– |
The Chancellor understands the concerns of these MPs but also emphasizes the need to control costs. – |
The budget for HS2 was set at £55.7 billion in 2015, but the estimated cost has increased to between £53 billion and £71 billion. – Parts of the project have already been paused or axed, including the eastern leg to Leeds and sections in the north. – Work at Euston has been paused due to rising costs. – |
If HS2 is stopped at Birmingham, it would be seen as the “easy thing” to do and a blow to the levelling-up agenda. – Similar budget issues have occurred with other major projects, but the consensus changed after they were delivered. |
– Labour has accused the Tories of a “great rail betrayal” if the Manchester leg of HS2 fails to materialize. – Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has not committed to building HS2 in full if the North West route is abandoned. |