HS2 campaigners lobbied politicians by taking their case to the Party conferences.
Members of All Cheshire Against HS2 (ACAHS2) leafletted everyone who went into the Labour Party conference hall, and put their views to prominent MPs.
The national STOP HS2 campaign had a presence at the UKIP conference at Doncaster Racecourse, attended the Conservative conference in Birmingham and is due to attend the Lib Dems’ event in Glasgow.
“Members of ACAHS2 took the opportunity that the Labour conference provided to make their case to individual members of the Party,” said Ewen Simpson, press officer for ACAHS2 and Mid Cheshire Against HS2.
“Group members were outside the main entrance on the Sunday from 9am, leafletting everyone who went into the hall.
“Outside the conference we worked with STOP HS2, and on the Sunday and following Tuesday group members handed out more than 3,000 anti-HS2 leaflets.
“They found out that many delegates were undecided, which gives us hope that we can persuade Labour delegates to our view.
“Inside the conference hall, Graham Dellow, secretary of Mid Cheshire Against HS2, helped STOP HS2 on their stand.
“Again we found many ‘undecideds,’ which reinforces our view that we must put constant pressure on Labour candidates.”
Graham also attended fringe meetings and spoke to Shadow Transport Secretary Mary Creagh.
“Nadine Rasheed from Warburton Action Group managed to get Lord Adonis to take a STOP HS2 leaflet, and had similar success with Ed Balls, Yvette Cooper and Margaret Beckett,” said Ewen.
“Party conferences attract many action groups with many agendas, but we believe we were more visible than most, and were there for three days of the conference.
“Ellie, our Anti-HS2 white elephant was very prominent and attracted a lot of attention.
“Between now and next May we will keep up the pressure on all prospective MPs and councillors, making sure they are aware of the strong public opposition to HS2, as evidenced by the polls, which show more than 80 per cent of the public opposed to it.
“We are not going to fold our tents and disappear – we are here for the long haul.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here