43. HS2 and Tony Blair

HS2 was supposed to transform Britain's rail network. Instead, it has become a symbol of delay, spiralling costs, and a state that struggles to deliver major projects.In this episode, Sebastian and Hilary examine what went wrong with HS2, from its original vision to its current reality. They discuss why infrastructure projects cost so much in Britain, whether the country can still build ambitious projects, and what a better long-term vision for rail might look like.They also analyse Tony Blair's recent essay on the "radical centre", the reaction it provoked, and what the debate reveals about growth, democracy, expertise, and political leadership. Can Britain still think big, build big, and govern effectively? Or are our problems deeper than any single railway line?Recommendations:Joshi Hermann on Andy BurnhamCheck out the SDP website or get in touch: [email protected]@sdp.org.uk