£32 billion to keep up with Morocco

The weaker the arguments for the high-speed train (HS2) grew, the more likely the damn thing became, writes Peter Rhodes.

Sure enough, days before HS2 got the nod, it was solemnly announced that Morocco has more miles of high-speed train than Britain.

I cannot think of a sillier argument for spending £32,000 million than the fact that Morocco has more of something than we do.

Even when this enormous white elephant is completed between Birmingham and London and the elite are whizzing back and forth to their frightfully important meetings through what used to be Saxon meadows and medieval villages, Morocco will still outperform the UK in minarets, dates, camels and women wearing veils.

It is a daft argument that we must compete on every level with every other nation in case we "lose out" to them.

England used to have far more beautiful views and tranquil places than many other nations.

Who will tell our grandchildren that we ripped them up so as not to fall behind Morocco?