HS2 was a con for North’s vote

It always seemed doubtful the Northern sections of HS2 would ever be completed despite Boris Johnson’s promises of a rail service fit for the Northern Powerhouse (Mirror, November 16). This is because our London-centric Government can only envisage major infrastructure projects for the capital.

West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin and Northern MPs are right to be furious and feel let down – Johnson’s pledge to level up the North was only ever an empty slogan to get votes.

I wonder if people in the Red Wall seats are now starting to realise they’ve been conned?

The truth is the North never has been and never will be a priority for the Tories.

Peter Johnstone, Liverpool

Once again, the people of the North are treated as second-class citizens by our devious Prime Minister. Following the Northern Powerhouse betrayal, it’s evident Northerners have been taken to the cleaners once again merely to secure their votes at the election. The HS2 plan has been diverted to a sideline which has leaves on the track. Stand by for more cancellations and train delays – a travesty when you consider decent, modern services are essential to boost the economy of the North. So much for the Tory levelling-up agenda. Bill Cook Teignmouth, Devon

I can understand West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin attacking Johnson for dropping the HS2 link from

Birmingham to Leeds, it’s her job. But you have to ask how often do ordinary Northerners want to get to London nowadays?

It was a thing in the 1960s but apart from a few people and those attending Wembley, why bother?

Today most Northern cities have shops and shows equal to London.

John Shale, Wigan, Gtr Manchester

Did we really expect Boris Johnson to keep his word when he said the North would get a high speed rail link?

Leeds will miss out and so will the voters who believed Johnson’s lies when he promised a better rail service. So much for levelling-up. The PM has proved time and again he simply cannot be trusted.

Tony Howard, Salford

Regarding the Northern Powerhouse transport upgrade, how

much money was pumped into Crossrail and other big spends on rail infrastructure in the South of the country, compared to the pittance for upgrading the Northern transport network?

Once again the North loses out. Fred Stones, Barnsley

How people could believe and applaud such a load of hot air from Johnson is beyond me.

His heroine Margaret Thatcher always promised, just like him, jam tomorrow. He said we could expect tough times ahead, although that doesn’t include him and his millionaire cronies.

The PM doesn’t live in the same world as ordinary people.

B Evans, Rhondda Cynon Taf

Boris Johnson has cancelled the Leeds leg of HS2 but not the one to Manchester. Could this possibly be because he is afraid to let down the North West?

After all, Labour’s Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is very popular with voters. Sylvia Harrop, Ashton-under-Lyne Gtr Manchester