HS2 should not be treated as a political football, the general secretary of ASLEF has warned.
Mick Whelan is concerned that Labour is not giving the project unqualified support, and is urging party leaders to clarify their position over the controversial scheme.
The Independent reports him saying: “We need HS2. We need it for the right reasons, the economic and business reasons and the socio-economic reasons that are going to drive growth for the next 20 or 30 years.”
He also pointed out that Labour originated the plans for HS2, and that last year's ASLEF conference gave HS2 its full support, complete with a standing ovation.
When he was asked about Labour’s present stance over High Speed rail he replied: “I’m worried about it because I don’t want to see it become a political football. We either need the infrastructure or we don’t.”