Former Transport Secretary Sir Patrick McLoughlin has said whoever wins the Tory leadership race must back HS2.
The MP for Derbyshire Dales has said that his message to all 10 candidates who have put themselves forward to lead the party is: if they want to be Prime Minister, they must support HS2.
Sir Patrick, who is also the party’s former chief whip, made the remarks while on a site visit to key rail suppliers in Derby.
His visit was organised by regional rail trade body Rail Forum Midlands as part of UK trade body the Railway Industry Association’s Rail Fellowship Programme.
The programme was launched last year to showcase the work of the UK rail supply chain by encouraging parliamentarians and influencers to gain hands-on experience and show support for the rail industry.
Sir Patrick, who was Transport Secretary from 2012 to 2016, said: “Our rail industry is of vital importance to the UK economy and as demand grows, the Government must ensure its ambition continues to grow with it.
“HS2 is a prime example of rail being put at the heart of our economic strategy. As Transport Secretary I was proud to back HS2, and every candidate running to be the next Prime Minister should back it as well.
“This is a crucial project which is delivering jobs, connectivity, and enhanced capacity for the rail network. Frankly, I think it would be mad to consider scrapping it.”
There has been speculation that HS2 will be abandoned. In particular, there has been uncertainty as to whether phase 2b of the project, serving the East Midlands, will go ahead.
Darren Caplan, chief executive of the Railway Industry Association, said: “Sir Patrick McLoughlin, as a recent former Transport Secretary, is well placed to judge the importance of HS2 to the UK, its economy and connectivity.
“The Railway Industry Association supports his call for the future Prime Minister to back the scheme.
“Furthermore, we urge politicians of all parties in all constituencies to get behind HS2, given it will unlock significant capacity on the country’s rail network, deliver £92 billion in economic growth, secure 30,000 jobs, and boost investment in communities in every part of the UK.”
Elaine Clark, chief executive of Rail Forum Midlands, said: “Sir Patrick’s comments about HS2 are spot on; it is a vital project for our region both in terms of capacity and as a driver of economic growth and alongside RIA we also urge all politicians and political parties to lend their support to the project.”
During his visit to Derby, Sir Patrick visited the factory of train manufacturer Derby, which last week submitted its joint bid with Hitachi for the £2.75 billion contract to build the trains for HS2.
Winning the work would help ensure the future of the Litchurch Lane workforce well into the 2020s.
Phil Hufton, UK president of Bombardier Transportation, said: “The RIA Rail Fellowship Programme is an excellent initiative and we are proud to have welcomed Sir Patrick to our facility.
“We were delighted to give him a first-hand experience of how Bombardier designs, builds and tests trains for the UK and for export.”
