Interesting to see the BBC today picking up the letter to the Telegraph from 21 “high-profile” businessmen and Tories complaining about the high-speed rail project.
Britain’s public service broadcaster forgot to cover a letter two weeks ago – from over 60 businessmen – in favour of HS2, which I wrote about in the FT.
The pro campaign dwarf the anti in both quality and quantity of signatories, it would appear. Here is the full letter from the “yes” business leaders, which include leaders of Hitachi, BAA Invensys and Mitchells & Butlers. And here is an extract:
Lord Marshall, former chief executive of British Airways, give their firm support to the government over the “High Speed 2” plans. Other figures signing the letter include Philip Green, chief executive of United Utilities, Dalton Philips, chief executive of Wm Morrison Supermarkets, Ian King, chief executive of BAE Systems, Andreas Goss, chief executive of Siemens UK, Andy Street, managing director of John Lewis, and John Cridland, director-general of the CBI employers’ group.
Who have the anti campaign got on board?
Aside from Lord (Nigel) Lawson, former chancellor, and Lord Wolfson, chief executive of Next? Er, Toby Baxendale of “Direct Seafoods”, Patrick Barbour of “Microgen” and Chris Kelly of “Keltruck“, Robin Faccenda of “Faccenda Group“, Terence Faulkner of “Leathams“, Damon de Laszlo of “Harwin” and John Hoerner, a retail consultant.
Perhaps I should have heard of these companies. Have you?
Jim Pickard
Kiran Stacey