rob holden, thank _ north-east with newcastle. rob holden, thank you _ north—east with newcastle.cutive at rail staff. now let's join our colleagues on politics live for a special coverage of the conservative coverage of the conservative coverage and rishi sunak�*s speech. this is politics live. joining me here in manchester — conservative mp bim afolami, the times's lara spirit, henry hill from conservative home, and our polititical editor chris mason. here is the scene in the conference hall now. i think we can now the prime minister rishi sunak accompanied by his wife, akshata murthy, making their way in the sunshine that has finally come out in manchester, of the steps to the conference hall ahead of his big speech. it is the traditional photo opportunity at the annual conference. this is rishi sunak�*s first conference speech to his party faithful and mps. it could, of course, possibly be his last as prime minister before a general election next year. certainly all smiles now. the shadow, if you like, over this whole conference has been the prime minister's refusal to answer

joining me now is rob holden, former ceo of crossrail and chairman of hsi, that's the railway from londoneing with us. as someone who has travelled for many years on the northern rail in on her report northern rail i can't think of an example ofjust how much this would reinforce the impression that you have all the best things in the south and not very good things in the north. so you're going to come quickly to birmingham and then what, you'll chug a bit slower from birmingham to manchester underlying the point that the investments are worth a? i the point that the investments are worth a? . ., �* the point that the investments are worth a? _, �* ., ,., worth a? i couldn't agree with you more about _ worth a? i couldn't agree with you more about the _ worth a? i couldn't agree with you more about the state _ worth a? i couldn't agree with you more about the state of— more about the state of infrastructure in the northwest of england. i'm very supportive for them and improving infrastructure in them and improving infrastructure in the northwest of england and making better connections bet