Boris Johnson live news: UK and EU urged to resolve dispute over post-Brexit rules as HS2 rail promises broken
HS2: Keir Starmer says Boris Johnson betrayed Bradford
Boris Johnson has been accused of “betraying” the north and failing to “level” the country after his government decided to cut two rail lines.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announced on Thursday that neither the East Midlands HS2 link to Yorkshire nor the Manchester to Leeds HS3 link would be built.
As a result, more than 20 million people will not benefit from the rail improvements promised in the Conservatives’ manifesto.
Northern mayors have denounced the development, with Andy Burnham, the leader of Manchester, warning that it risks turning a generation of Northerners into “second-class citizens”.
Meanwhile, West Midlands Mayor Tracy Brabin described the new plans as a “betrayal of the north” and a betrayal of ministers’ “leveling promise”.
Some Tory MPs also criticized the move, including Huw Merriman, chairman of the House of Commons transport select committee, who suggested that the prime minister “sells perpetual sunlight and then leaves it to others to take care of. ‘explain the arrival of moonlight “.
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Ministers to blame for ‘busted’ asylum system, says Starmer
The government is responsible for the failures of the “shattered” British asylum system, Keir Starmer said.
The Labor leader said the BBC Radio 4 Today program that his “jaw dropped” when he heard Interior Minister Priti Patel despise the current system.
“This government has been in power for 11 years. If the asylum system is dismantled, it is dismantled under their supervision, ”he said.
“Many years ago, asylum applications were processed in about six months. It is now taking years. We members of Parliament all have constituents who have been waiting for two years or more for their cases to be reviewed. “
Rory sullivanNovember 19, 2021 8:59 AM
UK, EU must arm themselves to resolve protocol dispute, Taoiseach says
Turning to Brexit now, the Taoiseach said the “background music” in the UK-EU talks has improved in recent times.
Micheal Martin said the bbc that he was encouraged by recent progress.
He added that the UK and the EU should “get down to business” to resolve outstanding issues regarding the Northern Ireland Protocol.
The British government wants to see a reduction in trade frictions from Britain to the territory and wants to remove the oversight role of the European Court of Justice there.
Rory sullivanNovember 19, 2021 8:46 AM
Government broke more than 60 promises, says Labor
The government has broken more than 60 commitments, including the recent decision to abandon certain rail improvements in the north of England, the shadow secretary of Northern Ireland said.
Labor MP Louise Haigh said the pledges were made in several manifestos and press releases.
Rory sullivanNovember 19, 2021 8:34 AM
Prime Minister’s pledge to build 40 new hospitals by 2030 ‘unachievable’, watchdog warns
Boris Johnson’s promises for new hospitals have come under scrutiny, after a watchdog warned his plans were “unworkable”.
The verdict is on the Prime Minister’s pledge to build 40 new hospitals by 2030.
The Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA) had assigned the idea an “amber / red” rating, which means that its delivery was uncertain. Now reports suggest the IPA has lowered this forecast.
“We are learning that the government’s own authority for infrastructure and projects warns that the Tory pledge to provide 40 new hospitals is now ‘unachievable’,” said Jonathan Ashworth, the shadow health secretary.
Rory sullivanNovember 19, 2021 8:14 AM
Furious leaders call government rail plans a “betrayal of the north”
Angry leaders in northern England have denounced the government’s new rail strategy, saying it constitutes a “betrayal” of their regions.
The plans reverse the government’s pledge to build two lines from Manchester to Leeds and Birmingham to Yorkshire.
Responding to the decision, Jamie Driscoll, Mayor of North of Tyne, said: “It is true that the government misjudged this and misjudged the strength of feelings. Everyone in the North gets a bargain basement solution. It’s not enough.
Rory sullivanNovember 19, 2021 7:55 AM
Hello and welcome to The independents live political coverage. Stay tuned as we bring you updates on the backlash of the government’s new rail plan as well as the latest news from today’s Brexit talks in Brussels.
Rory sullivanNovember 19, 2021 7:51 AM