Exchanges in Prime Minister’s Questions, 08/07/2015, on the subject of the “paused” Trans-Pennine electrification
Q4. [900819]Jonathan Reynolds (Stalybridge and Hyde) (Lab/Co-op): The decision to pause indefinitely the electrification of the TransPennine rail line through Stalybridge and Mossley means that my constituents face many more years of delayed trains, cramped journeys and less frequent services. Are those really the characteristics of a northern powerhouse?
Is it not typical of the Labour party today that instead of trying to get behind the northern powerhouse and trying to build a balanced economy—[Interruption.] The hon. Gentleman says that there is an indefinite pause, but that is not the case. We will be pressing ahead with this investment, and it is right that the Labour party should be supporting it.
Q6. [900821]Jeff Smith (Manchester, Withington) (Lab): If the Prime Minister really is committed to the northern powerhouse, he will know that an essential element of that is improved transport connectivity between the key cities of Manchester and Leeds, and that is now under threat. Given the vague and evasive answer that he gave earlier, will he now join me in welcoming the Manchester Evening News campaign to get the electrification of the TransPennine line back on track?
I can certainly commit to that, because I said a minute ago that this is a pause and not a stop. We are absolutely committed to ensuring that the work goes ahead. We also want to get rid of the Pacer trains that were there all those years under Labour.
Plus leader comment from the Huddersfield Daily Examiner, 9th July 2015, rightly pointing out that a promise that electrification will go ahead doesn’t become meaningful until one simple question is answered.
When?
