Money sloshing about the HS2 rail link could be better spent elsewhere | Simon Jenkins

Tories can blame Labour for the line's demise, use the billions on far more useful rail and road links – and reap a publicity bonanza

An Amerindian tribe, when about to be attacked, was reputed to haul its treasure – gold, tents and wives – on to the battlefield and burn them in front of the enemy. Overawed at such a display of wealth, the enemy fled.

This appears to be David Cameron's approach to high-speed trains. Britain's commercial rivals will gasp at his extravagance and throw up their ha...