Northern Powerhouse Rail

Judith Cummins Excerpts

Wednesday 14th January 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sarah Pochin]

No, we haven’t. That’s a lie! [Interruption.]

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Judith Cummins)]

Order. That was so loud.

[Hon. Members]

Withdraw!

[Madam Deputy Speaker]

I would welcome the Member withdrawing that.

[Sarah Pochin]

Yes, I do withdraw that. I am sorry. I apologise. However—[Interruption.]

[Madam Deputy Speaker]

Order.

[Jo White]

Reform’s betrayal of the north must never be forgotten.

For this to work, we need our council leaders and mayors to play their part. For constituencies such as Bassetlaw, Bolsover, North East Derbyshire and Chesterfield, our East Midlands Mayor must be part of the dialogue on the investment strategy for transport planning and connectivity. We all want to open our doors to businesses on the back of this, so will the Secretary of State ensure that Mayor Claire Ward has a place at the table?

--- Later in debate ---

[Several hon. Members rose—]

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Judith Cummins)]

Order. Before I call the next speaker, I ask Members to keep their questions short. Otherwise we will not be able to get everybody in, so please help each other out.

[Connor Naismith (Crewe and Nantwich) (Lab)]

Can I begin by expressing my sincere and enthusiastic thanks to the Secretary of State for today’s announcements? I have been campaigning, and some would say badgering Ministers, throughout my entire time in this place to address capacity challenges on the west coast main line arising from the steaming pile of mess left for this Government on HS2. I welcome the announcement that the Government intend to build a new rail line between Birmingham and Manchester, but following 14 years of mismanagement of projects such as this, how can the Secretary of State assure me and my constituents that these projects will actually be delivered, and how will they be insulated against the backwards, anti-growth, populist forces that we know would reverse these plans in a heartbeat?

--- Later in debate ---

[Sarah Pochin (Runcorn and Helsby) (Reform)]

On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. I believe that the Secretary of State has inadvertently misled the House on Reform’s voting record. We have always supported more transport in the north. I ask your advice on how we can correct the record.

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Judith Cummins)]

I am grateful to the hon. Member for letting the Chair know that she wished to raise this matter. However, the Chair is not responsible for how the Secretary of State answered her question.