Skip to content

Starmer challenged on Labour's HS2 rail policy

Sir Keir Starmer says the government should "get on with it" after suggestions that the HS2 rail line may not reach Manchester.

Speaking in Paris, the Labour leader said his party had "always supported it" but there was the risk the government could "fail on yet another infrastructure project".

A Downing Street spokesperson has said that ministers would need to balance the interests of "passengers and taxpayers" after the government refused to guarantee the future of the HS2 rail line between Birmingham and Manchester.

On Monday, shadow minister Nick Thomas-Symonds told the BBC his party would build the project "in full", 24 hours after Labour's campaign co-ordinator Pat McFadden said he needed to see the revised costs before committing to it in the next manifesto.

South Northants MP demands answers on HS2

19 September 2023

High Speed Rail

Explore More

The world's smallest playing card being held against a normal size card

Watch: Man creates world's smallest playing cards

Actor Jeff Goldblum with a thumbs up while sat at a piano in St Pancras station

Jeff Goldblum plays piano at London rail station

Roy Castle OBE parasailing under Charing Cross Bridge. The houses of parliament can be seen in the background.

World record set parasailing under London bridges

World's tallest woman and shortest woman standing next to each other

Moment world's tallest woman and shortest woman meet

Man in blue suit with green tie which has green and blue diagonal stripes. In the foreground is the back of a student's head

Pub bombings: 'These people deserve to be remembered'

Birmingham & Black Country

A performer spitting fire infront of an audience

Watch: La Clique returns to London's West End

A man moving sacks of vegetables

Watch: Fifty years of New Covent Garden Market

A blue car reversing into a Metropolitan Police motorbike

Watch: Met Police officer rammed off motorcycle

An aerial image of The Shard with white Christmas lights shining

Gareth Malone turns on The Shard's Christmas lights

A man dressed as a baked bean

Man dressed as baked bean rides first Eurostar

Children performing at The Habbit Factory

London sisters to star in Children in Need choir

A man places the final gold bauble on the Covent Garden Christmas tree

Watch: How Covent Garden gets its Christmas tree

A boy in a Kung Fu class

The Kung Fu classes helping kids with confidence

Big Ben strikes 11 on the first Remembrance Sunday in 1946

Watch: The first official Remembrance Sunday in 1946

BBC Radio London's Shay Kaur Grewal

BBC Radio London team finish swim challenge

Black liquid pours from with fluid collected from Tube seats into bucket

Watch: London cleaners reveal dirt in Tube seats

Sir Keir Starmer at PMQs in the Commons.

Watch: PM and Badenoch react to Trump's victory at PMQs

Chris Mason standing outside Downing Street

Trump win is the more complicated outcome for UK government

BBC presenter Shay Kaur Grewal swimming

Olympian trains BBC presenter for swim challenge

Aerial view of Oxford Street in central London showing the twinkly stars over the street with a double decker bus and cars driving with their lights on

Watch: Oxford Street Christmas lights switched on

Lindsay Hoyle dragged by both arms

Watch: Moment Speaker dragged to Commons chair

In a traditional part of the process, the successful candidate pretends to be reluctant to take up the role.

Correspondent Ben Chu

Quick take on Labour's energy plan

BBC Verify's Ben Chu on what to make of Labour’s plans to decarbonise UK electricity production.

Chris Mason and Mark Logan

Watch: Former Tory MP says he is backing Labour

The former Conservative MP for Bolton North East has told the BBC he now supports Labour.

Factory workers in Milton Keynes

Watch: Party leaders on the campaign trail

Political party leaders have been out and about campaigning ahead of the general election.

Keir Starmer

I want the highest quality candidates - Starmer

The Labour leader says he wants the "highest quality" candidates to put to the voters.

Carla Denyer

Greens launch campaign target of 'at least four' MPs

The Green Party of England and Wales launch their election campaign in Bristol.

Faiza Shaheen talking on BBC Newsnight

Labour candidate says she's been blocked from standing

Faiza Shaheen says she's was told she will not be Labour's candidate after allegedly liking antisemitic posts on X.

Rishi Sunak

Rishi Sunak tells Chris Mason: Yes, I am changing minds

The PM tells the BBC's political editor he is "thoroughly enjoying" himself out meeting voters in the election campaign.

Sir Keir Starmer wearing a suit and a brown tie

Not true Abbott barred from standing - Starmer

The Labour leader says no decision has been taken to bar Diane Abbott.

Keir Starmer

Starmer pleased Rayner has been 'vindicated'

Labour's leader says he always had confidence in his deputy with the row over her council house sale.

Ed Davey falls from a paddle board

Going, going, gone: Ed Davey takes a dip in Windermere

The Liberal Democrats leader was paddle boarding on Lake Windermere in the Lake District.

Rishi Sunak

Watch: PM criticises Sir Keir Starmer's campaign speeches

The prime minister accused Labour's Sir Keir Starmer of "not having the courage" to tell voters about Labour ideas.

Nigel Farage

Labour and Tories are both 'social democrats', says Farage

Nigel Farage was speaking in Dover, as part of his campaign for Reform UK.

Sir Keir Starmer

Starmer asked if there's a 'lack of enthusiasm' for Labour

Labour leader Keir Starmer is pressed on whether there's a perceived lack of enthusiasm for his party.

Rachel Reeves

Reeves: No return to austerity under Labour

The shadow chancellor is quizzed on her economic plans should Labour win the general election.

Rishi Sunak

Sunak 'disappointed' smoking ban bill did not get through

The PM says he "stepped up to do something that is bold" over his bid to phase out smoking.

Craig Mackinlay MP

Watch: Limb loss MP on his return to Parliament

Craig Mackinlay says he was met by "a storm" of noise when he returned to the House of Commons

Rishi Sunak

Oops! Sunak asks if Welsh are looking forward to Euros

On a campaign trip, the PM asks voters if they will watch the football tournament, even though Wales did not qualify.

Richard Tice

Tories 'terrified' of Reform Party - Richard Tice

The Reform Party leader says Rishi Sunak "bottled it" over calling a surprise general election for July.

Sir Keir Starmer

A vote for Labour is a vote to stop the chaos - Starmer

On the first full day of election campaigning the Labour leader says "nothing will change" if the Conservatives get back into power on July 5.