Like Syria, like the Olympics, HS2 is about being ambitious for Britain The Olympics last year asked us to project an image about modern Britain. The result was an opening ceremony and a medal haul that made us feel good about ourselves, and advertised Britain abroad. Conservatives are unashamedly bold about Britain. We have ambitions for our role in the world. We want to succeed in the global race and deliver for hardworking people now, and in the future. Meanwhile, the Labour Party hasn't changed. On the economy, on education and on welfare they are torn between supporting Conservative plans which are popular and are shown to work, and blindly following their union paymasters. When it comes to HS2 in the past few weeks Peter Mandelson, Alistair Darling and Margaret Hodge have U-turned on their initial support for the project - dismissing the long term future of the country for a short term political gamble. But Conservatives are getting on with it. From cutting the deficit to education reform the Government are taking the tough decisions that this country needs. Even in transport, HS2 is not a one off. It's an indication of the wider investment the Government is making in transport infrastructure. On top of HS2 we are investing over £56 billion on roads, rail and local transport between 2015 and 2021. That means fewer potholes and more tarmac, more buses and safer roads. But the jewel in the crown is high speed rail - it will make the businesses and people of this country more connected. It will show the world that Britain is serious about being competitive abroad. And, as today's report showed, it will boost our economy. The question is, how do we make our infrastructure compete in the twenty first century? The answer starts with HS2.