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MPs are urged to back fight for high-speed link
Every Yorkshire MP was yesterday urged to back the campaign to get a high-speed line built to this region – with many already flocking to sign a key Parliamentary motion calling for one to be made a priority.
The motion calls upon Parliamentarians to support the Yorkshire Post's new campaign Fast Track to Yorkshire, which is calling for a high-speed rail link to be built from London up to this region as a priority.
It will be open to every MP bar Government ministers and whips to sign – and the hope is that all of the 45 eligible representatives in Yorkshire will put their names to the Early Day Motion (EDM) and back the campaign.
It will then be presented, alongside a petition being run via the Yorkshire Post website, to Ministers and civil servants behind the new Government quango High Speed 2, which at the end of the year will recommend where a new high-speed line should be built.
The EDM – which was placed on the Parliamentary Order Paper late yesterday and will remain there until the autumn – was written by Liberal Democrat MP for Leeds North West Greg Mulholland and seconded by Clive Betts, the Labour MP for Sheffield Attercliffe.
Last night Mr Mulholland said: "MPs have to stand up for their area and for the region, especially on an issue that is incredibly important for all of us. I can't see why any MP from Yorkshire who can would not sign up to this motion.
"It doesn't matter what Party we represent, we all need to campaign together, alongside councils, councillors, the media, business community and general public, because if this region is not connected to a high-speed rail network as a priority there is a real danger Yorkshire's economy will suffer.
"If we don't make the case for Yorkshire and speak with a strong voice on this, there is a very real danger of our region being overlooked."
Mr Betts added: "For some time I've been raising this issue in the Commons – the next big transport investment in this country is probably going to be high-speed rail and it's vital Yorkshire gets to be part of that.
"We will always be able to make a better case with all-Party support, and if it's not one Yorkshire city arguing with another for the rail link. With Sheffield and Leeds working together with one voice we stand a far better chance of being listened to."
So far signatories include former Home Secretary David Blunkett, MP for Sheffield Brightside, and Leeds North East MP Fabian Hamilton.
MPs from outside this region have also signed up including Bob Spink, the Essex MP who after quitting the Tories last year is now the only MP representing UKIP, and John McDonnell, the socialist MP who stood against Gordon Brown for leadership of Labour in 2007.
Early Day Motions in themselves have next-to-no chance of changing legislation but serve as an important way for backbench MPs to shape the debate and are widely scrutinised by Ministers.
Mr Mulholland's EDM reads: "This House supports the Yorkshire Post's Fast Track to Yorkshire campaign which calls for a new high-speed railway line linking Yorkshire directly with London.
"It considers that a railway line to Yorkshire should be a priority in any new high-speed network to protect inward investment in the region and keep Yorkshire economically competitive.
"It congratulates the Yorkshire Post on running a campaign of such great regional and national importance; and urges other regional institutions to support the Yorkshire high-speed rail campaign."
Last night Leeds Central MP and Environment Secretary Hilary Benn added his support despite not being able to sign the motion.
He said: "Anything that improves further transport connections with Leeds, particularly rail connections, I of course welcome on behalf of my constituents."
Add your name to our growing petition calling for a high-speed line to connect Yorkshire to London: visit www.yorkshirepost. co.uk/fasttrack
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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