Analysis

On the face of it, this is a manifesto that will broadly please rail expansionists and voters outside London, with its promises of large-scale investment in new rail schemes in the Midlands and the North of England.

The absence of a cast-iron guarantee to press ahead with HS2 may cause alarm for some, although the Conservatives’ failure to explicitly rule it out could also be interpreted as an attempt by the party to have its feet in both camps and woo voters from both the pro- and anti- persuasions.

A pledge by Boris Johnson to work with leaders in the Midlands and the North to “decide the optimal outcome” should also mean that there is a good chance of HS2 going ahead, as most of these people are known to be in favour of the project - which also has heavy backing from business groups and the rail industry.

Elsewhere, it is difficult to take the policy on reopening routes closed under the Beeching cuts very seriously. Despite garnering lots of headlines in the mainsteam media, it should not be overlooked that the £500 million allocated to achieve this expensive business falls short of the mark. In fact, it is just a quarter of the amount pledged in the same document to fill potholes (£2bn), and not that much more than what the Conservatives say will be invested in cycling (£350m).

A heavy hint to act on the recommendations of the Williams Review will cause few surprises, nor will the Conservative’s clampdown on industrial action.