Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

John Rentoul witnessed the beginnings of HS2. As the project slips further into the quagmire, he looks at who – if anyone – shares responsibility for its failures

H

eidi Alexander, the transport secretary, was determined to blame the Conservatives when she announced that what is left of the High Speed Two rail project will be delayed again.

“I have to be honest,” she told the Commons on Wednesday, “this is an appalling mess.” She demanded that Gareth Bacon, her mild-mannered Conservative shadow, apologise, saying that his party had promised people “the Moon on a stick” but had left a “shambles” for Labour to sort out.