Facts

The promise was core to the Prime Minister’s claims to be ‘levelling up’ the country. However, in November 2021 he broke this pledge, with local leaders labelling it a “great Northern rail betrayal”. 

Verdict

The failure to deliver on the Leeds to Manchester route joins a long list of broken promises by Boris Johnson. 

We approached Mr Johnson’s office, the Cabinet Office and the No 10 Press Office to give them a chance to comment, but no reply.