Sunak Scraps Manchester Leg of HS2, Promises Transport Spending as Conservatives Seek Reset Ahead of Expected Election Loss

• Prime Minister Rishi Sunak canceled the northern leg of the HS2 high-speed rail project from Birmingham to Manchester as costs ballooned, redirecting the £36 billion savings to transport projects across Britain.
• Sunak positioned himself as an agent of change and criticized 30 years of political inertia in his keynote speech to the Conservative Party conference in Manchester.
• The Conservative Party trails Labour by double digits in opinion polls, and members acknowledge likely defeat in the next general election expected by late 2024.
• Sunak promised long-term reforms on issues like education and smoking, while former PM Liz Truss called for immediate tax cuts to boost growth.
• The decision to scrap the HS2 extension drew backlash from businesses and northern leaders who warned it undermines investment confidence and the government's "leveling up" agenda.

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