Originally Posted by nomadking (Post 36021852)

The bigger problem is those that keep convincing the EU that we will roll over and agree to whatever they say.

Originally Posted by Mr K (Post 36021837)

27 versus 1, work it out. Who is in the the stronger negotiating position? The UK is going to have a very bad hangover from this.
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Originally Posted by heero_yuy (Post 36023196)

Looks like Boris' honeymoon is still going.

Originally Posted by Mr K (Post 36023243)

Honeymoon over...


https://www.theguardian.com/politics...y_to_clipboard

Originally Posted by Mr K (Post 36023243)

Honeymoon over...


https://www.theguardian.com/politics...y_to_clipboard

Originally Posted by 1andrew1 (Post 36023650)

Interesting article by Dan Hodges on why some ministers are asking if Boris has any idea on what he's going to do apart from Brexit.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/a...clue-next.html

Originally Posted by Pierre (Post 36023663)

Interesting if you like journalists and newspapers that lost the Brexit argument and now have turned their sights on attacking the government. Given the total paralysis the country has been in for the last 3+ years, I’m willing to give them a little more time.

No doubt Huawei is a delicate issue - all I’d say as someone who works in telecoms is that I wouldn’t use them, or limit their use to passive components.

HS2 will definitely go ahead from London to Birmingham. It’s the onward sections that are an issue. Given that many Northerners lent their vote to the Tory’s he can’t be seen to ditch them, so some skilful politicking is required.

The criticism over Iran is baseless.

Originally Posted by Hugh (Post 36023667)

Dan Hodges writes for the Mail on Sunday, and before that, the Telegraph and the Spectator (not reknowned for being anti-Brexit)...

He also supported BJ in his campaign to be Mayor of London.

Originally Posted by Pierre (Post 36023663)

I
HS2 will definitely go ahead from London to Birmingham. It’s the onward sections that are an issue. Given that many Northerners lent their vote to the Tory’s he can’t be seen to ditch them, so some skilful politicking is required.
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Originally Posted by Damien (Post 36023677)

Hodges has been extremely critical of Labour since 2010 though, as Chris says he is clearly on the 'right' of the Labour Party. So I think he has earned the right to be listened too by the right as he isn't a propagandist for the left.

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HS2 should just happen now. Just do it.

People are deluded if they think it's cancellation will lead to investment in the existing railway infrastructure in the North instead. The same thing will happen again. There will be years, far beyond this Government's parliamentary term, of public consultation and government case studies before anything is proposed. Then, between 2025 and 2030, when a proposal is put forward it'll be beset by court cases and disagreement with politicians of every stripe opposing it in favour of something else before a final plan is somehow agreed in 2035 and we're all back here in 2040 wondering if it's about to be cancelled. :rolleyes:

This country is absolutely pathetic when it comes to infrastructure projects. It's a wonder we have a Eurostar or M25. How we built the London Underground will become a mystery to future generations of Brits in the same way the Pyramids are now.

It may not be the most optimal use of money but HS2 is a unicorn in that it's a project that is actually being built and has passed all the bureaucracy and nonsense that we throw at any attempt to do anything.

A case in point is a new bridge at the Dartford Crossing on the M25. The tunnel itself, running from South to North, is already a nightmare. For over 10 years they've been having public discussions on how/when/where to build another bridge (to match the one going Clockwise) to help this pressure but as of yet nothing has been decided and ALREADY the demand exceeds the capacity. By the time they start building half of the M25 will be paralysed.

Originally Posted by Pierre (Post 36023681)

One of the problems in delivering a project like this, why it’s so expensive, and why the likes of China to it faster and better is.......

We adhere to all the environmental bollocks. For a project like this you will have Natural England, the JNCC and several other NGOs throwing as many hurdles in front of it as possible. Endless environmental impact assessments, mitigations, NIMBYs, consultations etc yadda yadda yadda.

You may think it right or wrong, but I guarantee you China just build it. I doubt the French are even as anal.

Environmental impact? Of course there will be but it’s a 50m strip at most, and although during construction it will be more, that is temporary and will recover.

I think there needs to be some legislation to help support major national infrastructure projects.

Originally Posted by Mr K (Post 36023683)

China's got a bit more land to play with. If we're not careful our green and pleasant land will end up a grey concreted metropolis.

The cost of HS2 is obscene and will only benefit a few. All to save a few minutes on a train ride. Social care would be a much better way to direct that money on our ageing population.