Peter Mandelson – Crossrail is on the ballot paper

5 May 2010

Peter Mandelson – Crossrail is on the ballot paper 

Labour’s Business Secretary Peter Mandelson today (May 5th) issues an eve-of-poll warning that the Conservatives’ failure to give a commitment to complete the Crossrail link is a sign to business leaders that David Cameron’s party does not understand the needs of the London economy. He said that only Labour is committed to Crossrail as part of its overall commitment to securing economic recovery and growth. 

Peter Mandelson said: 
“The Tories’ failure to commit to Crossrail in this campaign is a warning sign to business that they do not understand what is needed to grow London's economy. 

“On Thursday, the future of Crossrail is on the ballot paper.  Only Labour is committed to Crossrail as part of our bigger commitment to securing the recovery and investing in future growth and jobs for Londoners. ” 

The east-west Crossrail link will add ten per cent more rail and tube capacity for London by 2012. It will bring 1.5 million people within sixty minutes of London’s main business districts and will link the major centres of economic activity, jobs and opportunities with high speed services. It will mean 14,000 jobs during the peak of construction alone and will provide a £1.2 billion annual boost for London’s economy. 

However the Conservatives have failed to match Labour’s manifesto commitment to complete Crossrail in their national manifesto. Shadow London Minister Justine has admitted that it is ‘possible’ that Crossrail may be cancelled under a Conservative government and says she cannot guarantee it will go ahead. 

 
Notes to editors

·        Labour’s manifesto says: “We will complete the new east-west Crossrail line in London adding ten per cent to London transport capacity.”


The Tory risk on Crossrail, in their own words:

·        Justine Greening, the Tories’ London spokesperson, has admitted to LBC that Crossrail may be cancelled under the Conservatives, saying “I can't give a guarantee that it will continue”. When Asked “The Conservatives could scrap Crossrail?” she said: “It’s possible…” Nick Ferrari show, 15/4/10. http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23824884-we-can-offer-no-guarantees-for-crossrail-tories-admit.do
·        Shadow Transport Secretary Theresa Villiers has confirmed that Crossrail will be up for review under a Tory government. “The main problem, of course, is the general financial position that we will inherit. The government has created substantial debts, and it can’t go on writing cheques forever. So any project will have to come under review after the election. I would say the Crossrail project will be included in that review as well.” Theresa Villiers, Rail News, 3 February 2010 http://www.railnews.co.uk/news/general/2010/02/03-no-guarantees-aboutmajor-rail.html
·        Shadow Chancellor George Osborne has is reported to have reserved the right to “go over the plans”, refusing to give an unequivocal commitment that it will go ahead to the same budget and timetable as currently planned. Evening Standard 24/7/09 http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23723719-tories-will-look-for-savings-in-16bn-crossrail-budget.do
·        The Tories have been criticised by the Evening Standard for its failure to fully back Crossrail: “It bodes ill for London, then, that the [Conservative] party is refusing to guarantee funding for Crossrail, the long-delayed rail-link between Heathrow and Stratford. They should think again…” Evening Standard, 23/7/09 http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23723243-details/Spending+cuts+must+not+stop+Crossrail/article.do  
·        Conservative mayor of London Boris Johnson has failed to secure a commitment to Crossrail from his own party leadership and has accepted that the Shadow Chancellor cannot give a full public commitment to Crossrail. Evening Standard, 24/709 http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23723719-tories-will-look-for-savings-in-16bn-crossrail-budget.do