Osborne undermines his own case for enhancements

So, George Osborne is on manoeuvres, again.

The former Chancellor, and now free sheet editor, made the case for Northern Powerhouse Rail in yesterday's FT and on BBC Radio 4 this morning.

Good news for fans of connectivity and rebalancing of the economy.

But what's this.

Whilst George was busy tripping the light fantastic between green rooms, his own title is running with the following headline:

Not exactly a headline that will enamour readers to the vital works that enable delivery of much needed additional railway capacity, whether in the North or the South (don't forget the Squeezed Midlands! Ed).

Perhaps time for George to focus on the day job and exercise some editorial judgement?

Gideon strikes!

So farewell iDave!

Your time has come, and gone.

For some of us, not a moment too soon.

And who wielded the knife?

Why, officials in the department of your best friend - Gideon George Osborne!

Or so we are led to believe by Wednesday's FT, which suggests that notoriously competent "senior Treasury officials" are looking to cape HS2 in favour of more roads.

Happily, it looks like constituencies in the Chilterns will get all that they wished for and possibly deserve (sic).

Meanwhile, which way will the ever loyal Patrick McLoughlin jump?

For Eton or St Paul's?

UPDATE: HS2 Comes out fighting!

This from HS2's 'Project Manager for Ambassadors and Advocates' (who knew? Ed)...

The FT piece represents nothing more than nonsense scare mongering re: HS2:

• The project has wide political support across the country
• Any cost increases as a result of adding VAT are returned to government - the true cost remains the same
• All at HS2 and our supporters recognise the importance of controlling costs and the necessity of continuing to delivering this vital piece of infrastructure on time and on budget
  

Errr... that'll certainly tell them!

Gideon Gripped!

This from @RachTownsendITV (for non Twitter regulars read from the bottom up)...

That's the SOFA slashed then.