In Crewe, England, a major project intended to rejuvenate the railway town has been abandoned, serving as a cautionary tale for the Conservatives as they struggle to maintain power. The project aimed to transform a large building site in the heart of the town into a modern retail and entertainment complex, which was to complement an already under-construction bus terminal and car park.
However, the plan has been put on hold, with local authorities pointing to the government’s cancellation of the High Speed 2 (HS2) rail project’s northern leg, along with high inflation, declining property values, and strained households, as reasons for the decision.
Local resident Andy Lewis expressed disappointment, stating that the cancellation of HS2 felt like a setback for Crewe, as the project was seen as a way to improve the town.
The Conservatives won a significant election victory in 2019 with the help of voters from northern England, buoyed by Boris Johnson’s promises to deliver the benefits of Brexit and “level up” the country’s regions. However, recent opinion polls show a decline in support for the ruling party, raising the possibility of a substantial defeat by the Labour party in an upcoming general election.
Former Prime Minister Johnson’s levelling-up agenda suffered a blow with the axing of the northern leg of the HS2 rail network, a project aimed at better connecting Britain’s cities and economy. Many local businesses and residents had hoped the Crewe-to-Manchester spur of HS2 would bring substantial investment into the town.
Rishi Sunak, the current Prime Minister, cited the escalating cost of the overall HS2 project and reduced passenger numbers due to the COVID-19 pandemic as reasons for the cancellation of the northern leg. He assured that funds saved from this decision would be reinvested across the country for infrastructure improvements.
Conservative Member of Parliament for Crewe, Kieran Mullan, acknowledged the loss of the HS2 link as a setback but stated that the government was committed to extensive work to revitalize Crewe in light of the cancellation. However, Crewe and the neighboring Nantwich parliamentary seat are predicted to shift back to Labour in the next election, based on polling models.
A YouGov opinion poll revealed a significant decline in Conservative support in the north, with only 20% of voters in the region intending to vote for the party, compared to 37% before the 2019 election. The government’s perceived failure to deliver on levelling up is cited as a reason for Red Wall voters abandoning the Conservatives.
The economic divide between London and the rest of the UK has widened over the years, with London’s share of the national economy growing significantly. Investment data shows a stark contrast in public infrastructure spending between London and the rest of the country.
The HS2 project, once touted as Europe’s biggest infrastructure endeavor, has been scaled down, with the line now terminating at Birmingham, instead of connecting London to Manchester and Leeds. Labour leader Keir Starmer has expressed his intent to focus on Sunak’s Northern Powerhouse Rail plan instead of reviving the northern leg of HS2 if elected. Labour also promises to transfer more power from Westminster to local leaders.
Despite the setback, Crewe is still seen as a well-connected center for distribution and manufacturing, although the loss of HS2 is considered a major blow. Business leaders acknowledge the town’s potential for business activities but express concerns about the impact of downsizing HS2 on improving supply chains.
The abandoned building site intended for a retail and entertainment center has been repurposed for temporary use, possibly as a go-kart track or trampoline park. Conservative MP Kieran Mullan reassured that the space will not remain boarded up and derelict for long, but it has been a point of frustration for locals.
