The Labour Party has a, I would say, well-earned reputation for shifting us, because

Gier Starrmer has had to kind of duck and dive in order to move the Labour Party from its

Corbynite position some way to the right of where it falls 2019 election.

Welcome to Political Fix, your essential insider guide to Westminster stuff from the financial

times with me, Lucy Fisher. You heard there the FT Stephen Bush talking about the Labour

Leader. Stephen's here with me in the studio now. Hello, Stephen.

Hi, Lucy. And the FT's Miranda Green. Hi, Miranda. Hello, Lucy.

Coming up, we'll take a look at the flip-fopping on some of the issues by both the Conservative

and Labour leadership. We'll also consider whether Suella Bravenman's hardline rhetoric

on refugees changes the dial on government policy on migration. Plus, with the conference season

now well underway, the FT's anagross will join us for an update on the Lib Dem gathering this week.

So, at first up, let's talk about the HS2 extension from Birmingham to Manchester.

At the time of speaking, it's unclear whether this Northern leg of the line will actually go ahead,

but the topic certainly dominated when Rishi Sunak did a broadcasting blitz on Thursday

speaking to local radio. Here's what he had to say to BBC Manchester's Anna Jameson.

Look, I said, I'm not speculating on future things. We've got spades in the ground right now,

and we're getting on. But what government is always making sure that we get value for money out

of everything we do, but that's just a statement of the obvious, right? But I think what people

also should know, because I know there's a lot of focus on this one thing, but actually,

what are the journeys that people use most in Greater Manchester or across the North?

It's on in their cars right now, getting to work, taking their kids to school,

making sure that the roads are free of pot holes. Well, I'm still cringing there at Suenaq's

...