Monday’s speech and today’s announcement show them choosing their ground for the next election. And since Hunt may find no money for further tax cuts next spring, the option of a May general election is opening up.
Senior executives at HS2 Ltd stand accused of having used misleading projections, shredded documents, and forced out whistleblowers to keep money flowing into the project.
This perhaps reflects the fact that with the Speech happening on 7th November, there will be little actual time for legislation in the final session of Parliament in any case.
As his options narrow, Sunak has little choice but to get back to first principles, which would be the right course anyway.
The horrors in Israel and Gaza compelled solemnity and unity for only part of the time: free debate survives.
The Prime Minister’s proposals for Euston provide the key: a new partnership with business to draw up a new, viable plan for a 21st-century railway between Birmingham and Manchester.
Some projects that had previously been announced were included, as were some projects that had even been completed. Some of the announcements related to local projects for which the decision to proceed rested with regional mayors not central government.
“The pressures on the finances have actually changed over the summer”, the transport secretary says.
His three big preoccupations are a bit remote from the public. But his new approach has one unmissable virtue to it – namely, that he really believes in it.
On education, high speed rail and smoking, he will allow our country to pursue an ambitious and optimistic future for people, whoever they are and wherever they come from.
The elephant in the room is that, unless something significant changes, it is unlikely that the Prime Minister will be able to see through any these plans.
The audience loved this story of a Prime Minister who finds true love by taking long-term decisions for a brighter future.
“Our political system is too focused on short-term advantage, not long-term success,” declared the Prime Minister. “Our mission is to fundamentally change our country.”
Every part of the country is set to benefit from the decision to reallocate funding, including places that would have never seen any benefit from that mammoth rail project.