Allrik Birch: We need private firms to re-build our rail network

The era of government-run railway infrastructure has been, for the most part, one of decline and a clear lack of ambition.

Johnson won’t scrap HS2, but his review could make a big offer to the North

Building the northern sections first could provide a springboard for further projects and combat the idea that the former Mayor of London is too capital-focused.

Jonathan Isaby: HS2 – Unpopular with voters. Unpopular in the north. Unpopular with Tories. Unpopular everywhere.

The results of a ComRes poll released today should make sobering reading for HS2’s political cheerleaders.

Florian Bay: Britain needs a high speed train plan to revive our cities

Cities as diverse as Aberdeen, Birmingham, Bristol and Reading should gain from the project – as should the Chilterns.

Caroline Dinenage MP: HS2 and Crossrail are all well and good – but don’t forget the South

It takes longer to get from London to Portsmouth than it does to get to Doncaster, a distance that is over twice as far. Something must be done about that.

Stanley Johnson: If the French built HS2, they’d pay proper compensation. So why can’t we?

And does it really have to come into Euston at all?

The affordable state? You read it here first…

As the autumn statement looms, the Chancellor borrows a leaf from ConservativeHome’s book about the affordability of Britain’s public spending.

Tell us what you would like to see in George Osborne’s Autumn Statement

Cut green taxes? Scrap HS2? Have your say today.

Interview by Andrew Gimson: Philip Hammond declares war on lunch, and on regimental campaigners

The Defence Secretary denies he is stifling debate, and attacks “misdirected individuals”

LISTEN: The Government wants to make HS2 work for Scotland, says Baroness Kramer

The transport minister was announcing a review into how Scotland can benefit from the high-speed rail line.

Iain Dale: Ed Balls, for once, was right

Also in Iain’s Friday Diary: The Tonbridge and Malling Open Primary. Gordon Brown, “ex-politician”. Tony Benn’s Diaries. And what I did during the Great Storm

The problem with HS2

If the rationale for a plan keeps changing – and figures and calculations with it – voters should smell a rat.

Andrew Bridgen MP: I said Labour would U-turn on HS2. And I was right. We should drop the scheme before it’s too late.

Labour will provide enough time to commit us – and then Balls will spring £50 billion of spending pledges from the saving of cancelling HS2.

WATCH: We’ll stick to the HS2 budget, says Danny Alexander

He adds that the high-speed rail route is something that could “change the economic geography of this country”.